Mohit Ulva, the India Under-19 all-rounder who struck an unbeaten 49 off 26 balls to seal a stunning one-wicket victory over Pakistan U19 in the U19 Asia Cup final, has revealed that he idolises Virat Kohli in batting and Pat Cummins in bowling — and that high-pressure moments are exactly where he wants to be.

The Knock That Rewrote the Final

India U19 were staring at the impossible when they slumped to 252 for 8, still needing 86 more runs from a 338-run target. What followed was one of the most remarkable chases in junior cricket's recent memory. Ulva, coming in lower down the order, combined with Manal Chauhan — who contributed a crucial 47 — to drag India back from the brink. Ulva finished the job himself, hitting the winning boundary off the final ball to complete a one-wicket triumph that few had believed possible.

His Idols and His Ambitions

Speaking to Star Sports after the victory, Ulva was candid about his inspirations. 'In batting, I like Virat Kohli a lot. In bowling, I like Pat Cummins a lot,' he said. The medium-pacer has already earned his next challenge: a call-up to Saurashtra's squad for the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT). 'I am joining my senior team from tomorrow. I have been selected in SMAT, by God's grace. So, I want to debut there as soon as possible,' he added. Ulva's ambition runs deeper than a debut — he sees senior domestic exposure as the gateway to top-flight cricket. 'The more years I get to play there, the easier it will be for me to play top-flight cricket from there,' he said.

A Player Who Thrives Under Pressure

Ulva's composure in the final was no accident — it reflects a mindset he has cultivated deliberately. 'I like pressure. I enjoy good games where the atmosphere is good, where there is a lot of crowd, where there is a lot of hype-up, where people are coming at me. I like those games,' he explained. He contrasted that with low-intensity matches: 'I don't like those lazy games, where you just have to go here and take out the game easily. I don't like that.' This temperament, analysts would note, is precisely what selectors look for when projecting junior talent to the senior level.

A Moment of National Pride

Beyond the cricketing achievement, Ulva described the win in strikingly personal terms. 'I have done this for the country. And this is the first time I have felt that I have done something for the country,' he said. He recalled growing up hearing about army personnel and doctors serving the nation, and the moment it dawned on him that cricketers could carry the same weight of national duty. 'After that, for the first time, I did something for the country. I felt that this boy made the whole country proud. This was not only my win, but the whole country won,' he added.

What Comes Next

With the U19 Asia Cup title secured and a Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy berth already in hand, Ulva's transition from junior sensation to senior domestic contender begins almost immediately. His selection in Saurashtra's SMAT squad places him alongside experienced state-level professionals — a sharp test of whether his pressure-game temperament translates beyond the Under-19 stage. Indian cricket's production line of talent has a compelling new name to watch.