India lift Under-19 Cricket World Cup for record fourth time

Mount Maunganui :India on Saturday lifted a record fourth U-19 World Cup trophy after an eight-wicket rout of Australia in the final, underlining their dominant run in the tournament and giving Rahul Dravid the biggest success of his coaching career.
As it has been the case throughout the tournament, India had all their bases covered with bowlers bouncing back to dismiss Australia for 216 from 183 for four at one stage.
The highly-rated batting, barring a minor blip, completed the job with conviction as India chased down the modest target in 38.5 overs.
Delhi-boy Manjot Kalra emerged as the man for big occasion, scoring a sublime 101 not out off 102 balls and anchoring the innings after the loss of captain Prithvi Shaw and the team’s leading scorer in the tournament, Shubman Gill.
With a fourth crown, India also surpassed Australia in the race of most U-19 World Cup titles. Prior to the final, India and Australia were locked at three titles each.
The team’s performance was also a fitting tribute to coach Dravid, who finally got his hands on a World Cup trophy.
Under Dravid, the side had finished runners-up in the 2016 edition in Bangladesh.
India’s previous title came in Australia six years ago when the Unmukt Chand-led team beat the hosts in the final.
The Virat Kohli-led side was victorious in 2008 and Mohammad Kaif was captain when India triumphed way back in 2000.
“Really proud of the boys and the effort they put in,” said Dravid as his boys continued with the on-field celebrations.
“Hopefully it’s a memory they cherish for a long, long time, but hopefully not the last memory and they have many more great moments and bigger things in future. I don’t want to mention names but everyone in the support staff has put in a great effort. We do the best for the kids,” the Indian great added.
In the current edition, India were the overwhelming favourites and they played like one, dishing out dominant performances one after the other.
The gulf between them and other teams was clearly evident. In the playing eleven of the final, India fielded five players with the first-class experience while Australia had just one in captain Jason Sangha.
“I really can’t express what I am feeling now,” said skipper Shaw.
“All credit to our support staff; they’ve really been supporting us for the last two years, especially Rahul sir. He is a legend. And full credit to the guys as well. It was the final, a very crucial hundred from Manjot.”
On Man of the Series Gill and performance of other his teammates, Shaw added: “Gill was batting really well throughout. And the two pacers, Shivam Mavi and Kamlesh Nagarkoti, were excellent too.”
Having lost skipper Shaw (29) and Gill (31), Kalra displayed commendable calm and composure to see the team through. Harvik Desai (47 not out) provided the support Kalra needed after India were 131 for two in the 22nd over. The two shared 89 runs for the third wicket in what turned out to be a match-winning partnership.
Kalra, who had smashed a match-winning 86 against Australia in the tournament opener, was in devastating touch again. He hammered the spinners for huge sixes and showed his silken touch by beautifully driving the pacers through covers. In the end, he finished with eight fours and three sixes.
It was only fitting that he reached the three figures in the last over of the final. Desai hit the winning boundary, sending the team members and the packed crowd into frenzy.