India's U-19 team creates history

Wednesday 07th February 2018 05:39 EST
 
 

India's U-19 team, led by Prithvi Shaw, created history last week when they defeated Australian youth by 8 wickets to clinch the ICC U-19 World Cup trophy. With the victory, India became the only country to win the trophy four times. The star of the show remained Manjot Kalra, who knocked a century to take India to an easy victory. Kalra became the second player in history to score a ton in ICC U-19 World Cup final, after India’s own Unmukt Chand. India were the only side to remain unbeaten in the tournament.

Indian skipper Prithvi Shaw and Manjot Kalra got off to a strong start, completing yet another 50-run partnership. Shaw was dismissed by Jack Edwards for 29, as Australia tasted their first success with the ball. Kalra made another 50-run stand with Shubman Gill as the left-handed batsman completed his first half-century in the tournament. Gill, who has scored three fifties and a century, failed to score one in the final after his stumps were knocked down by Param Uppal for 31. Manjot Kalra and Harvik Desai took control of the situation and steered India towards victory.

With the pitch looking like a solid surface to bat on, Australian skipper Jason Sangha elected to bat first after winning the toss at Bay Oval stadium in Mount Maunganui. Coming out to open, Jack Edwards and Max Bryant gave a strong start to their side and added 32 runs before Ishan Porel took his first wicket. He dismissed Bryant for 14, with Abhishek Sharma taking a tremendous catch. The Bengal pacer quickly struck another soon after, dismissing the dangerous Jack Edwards for 28 as Australia lost both their openers. The Indian bowlers restrict Australia to 216, a total that India scored comfortably in the end - with 67 balls to spare.

Kamlesh Nagarkoti dismissed Australian skipper Jason Sangha soon after, with wicketkeeper Harvik Desai taking a decent catch. Param Uppal and Jonathan Merlo built a 75-run partnership but Anukul Roy, who is the leading wicket-taker for India U-19, broke the partnership dismissing Uppal for 34. Merlo went on to score his 50 but he was not supported by any other batsman on the other end. Shiva Singh took two wickets of Nathan McSweeney and Will Sutherland in quick succession late in the innings, while pacers Shivam Mavi and Kamlesh Nagarkoti took care of the tailenders. The Indian bowlers restrict Australia to 216, a total that India scored comfortably in the end - with 67 balls to spare.

Brief Scores: India 220/2 (Manjot Kalra 102*, Harvik Desai 47*) beat Australia (216 all out).

Cash reward for team

The BCCI announced a cash reward of Rs 30,00,000 each for the U-19 squad, while head coach Rahul Dravid will receive Rs 50,00,000. Apart from that, members of the support staff will also get Rs 20,00,000 each. Chairman of CoA Vinod Rai congratulated the team for the victory and hoped for a brighter future for the U-19 squad. Former India cricketer Diana Edulji praised the team for their unbeaten run to the title saying the victory is a testament to the environment provided by the BCCI for the youngsters to flourish. "The consistent performance is a testimony to the fact of BCCI's initiative in nurturing the talent and providing them an environment to the youngsters and perform to their potential. I congratulate Rahul Dravid and his team for returning home with the glittering ICC World Cup," she said.


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