If Aaron George’s words are anything to go by, the team’s mindset has been shaped by simplicity rather than spectacle. “There are no grand sermons and lectures. Under coach (Hrishikesh) Kanitkar sir, we believe in staying neutral and having clarity in our roles,” said Aaron, who struck a commanding century in the semifinal on Wednesday. The emphasis, he explained, has been on understanding individual responsibilities and maintaining focus on the present moment.
Friday’s clash will mark India’s sixth successive appearance in an Under-19 World Cup final, continuing a remarkable run that began in 2016. Overall, it will be their 10th summit clash at this level — four more than the next-best side, Australia. Despite the weight of expectation, Aaron insisted the pressure has been embraced positively. “There is pressure, but I don’t see it as a burden,” he said, reflecting the team’s measured outlook.
Aaron’s elegant 115 against Afghanistan in the semifinal ranks among the finest knockout performances in tournament history, trailing only Nicholas Pooran’s 143 in 2014 and Cheteshwar Pujara’s 129 in 2006. He attributed the innings to a disciplined mental approach. “It was the refusal to see it as anything other than the next ball that needs to be played,” he explained.
Looking ahead to the final, Aaron believes overplanning can be counterproductive. “There is no elaborate blueprint for the final,” he noted, adding that India prefer to let conditions “reveal themselves.” Preparation has focused on repetition and building instinct through practice, but he acknowledged that big matches bring unpredictable challenges. “You can prepare for hours at the nets, but the match throws unique challenges you cannot prepare for. That is where presence of mind, instinct and honesty to process take over,” he said.
