‘We did the same’: Mohit Ulva reveals why India celebrated aggressively after beating Pakistan

Mohit Ulva explains India’s aggressive celebrations after dramatic victory in Pakistan India U-19 batsman Mohit Ulva explained the emotions behind the team’s lively celebrations after their dramatic one-wicket win over Pakistan in the U-19 Asia Cup final, insisting the players were simply celebrating their triumph and had no intention of provoking their opponents.Mohit, who was instrumental in India’s remarkable run chase with an unbeaten 49 off just 26 balls, said the celebrations were a natural response to the occasion, given the intensity of the India-Pakistan match and the fact that it was the final.However, the celebrations that followed became the subject of controversy, with several Indian players facing criticism on social media for their aggressive gestures towards Pakistani players.Mohit revealed that the celebrations were a spontaneous expression of the emotions surrounding the India-Pakistan final. He also recalled how the Indian youngsters did not take Pakistan’s celebrations during the league stage encounter personally.“It’s natural. It was India’s match against Pakistan and the final too. The way they celebrated after beating us in the league stage. We didn’t even take their celebration personally. We thought they were celebrating their own victory. It doesn’t matter what they do.”“We did the same. We celebrated our own victory. It had emotion, aggression and everything. We didn’t do it to show them something. We celebrated amongst ourselves and everything was natural,” Mohit told Star Sports.

‘I couldn’t believe I finished it’

India were staring at defeat after slipping to 252/8 in the 42nd over of the chase. However, Mohit and Manal Chauhan refused to give up and put together a crucial 57-run partnership for the ninth wicket to keep India’s hopes alive.Manal scored 47 off 32 balls before departing, leaving India needing 36 more runs with just one wicket remaining. Mohit then got support from No.11 C Venkat, who remained unbeaten on 11 off eight deliveries.The equation eventually came down to three runs off the last ball, with Mohit finding a boundary to seal the title. When recalling the extraordinary finish, the youngster admitted that at first he was unable to process what had happened.“I was actually completely out when I hit three runs off one ball with a four. I didn’t know everyone was running towards me, everything was happening.“It was done, I finished the game. Until it was over, I believed I was going to finish it. But when I did, I couldn’t believe I finished it. So I was a little bit off.“After a while I realized that it was actually over. Everyone was getting up, everyone was celebrating. So I celebrated a little bit. I went to the Indian supporters who had been sitting there all day. I went to them and celebrated with them. It’s a very good feeling. Even now it’s a very good feeling for me. Because for my family, for my country, for India, it’s such a good feeling,” he added to the victory.

‘No one doubted’

Mohit also revealed that the Indian dressing room was confident of handling the chase despite losing eight wickets. The young batsman credited the encouragement he received from the team’s support staff and his talks with Manal for helping him stay composed during the crucial phase.According to Mohit, the plan was straightforward: one of the two batters had to stay until the final delivery to take India home.“No one doubted that we couldn’t do it. Everyone knew our team had the ability to do it. I was there when we were already 8 goals down.”“Sir gave me the confidence that if I bowl the last ball, I will do it. Manal played; I spoke to him. Manal told me to stay till the end. If either of us bowls the last ball, we will win. Whatever Manal and I planned, whatever we thought at that moment, happened. In fact, our execution was spot on.”“We needed a lot of luck in that. Because anything can happen from the box. We thought that if this plan went ahead, they could have bluffed in the plan. But they didn’t. Everything went exactly according to plan, as we planned. I was very calm then. I felt good inside. It was a natural moment. It was a natural celebration for me,” he added.Mohit’s unbeaten knock and Manal’s vital contribution helped India pull off one of their most memorable wins of the tournament as they completed a successful chase of 338 to beat Pakistan by one wicket off the last ball.