India wrote their name on the trophy for the fourth time – becoming the first team to do so – in U-19 World Cup history. After bundling out Australia for a modest total of 216, the game was well in control of Prithvi Shaw’s side, who cantered home with eight wickets and 11.1 overs to spare.
It was not the usual suspects who stood up for India with the bat. While Shaw and the tournament’s second highest run-getter Shubman Gill got off to fluent starts, it was the hard-hitting Manjot Kalra who shone with the bat, cutting and sweeping with utmost disdain. The southpaw finished with a majestic 101 off 102 balls.
The pace department once again stepped up. Kamlesh Nagarkoti’s final spell was instrumental in India stifling the Aussies at the death. Ishan Porel made early inroads, and in the middle overs, spinners Shiva Singh and Anukul Roy tied down the opposition batsmen. Singh and Roy also picked up two wickets each.
Many from the current crop of Indian players have earned lucrative Indian Premier League contracts. The U-19 World Cup has also been a springboard to future success, and a catalyst for a ticket to the senior team. Just ask Yuvraj Singh, Mohammad Kaif, Shikhar Dhawan, Ravindra Jadeja or Virat Kohli, to name just a few.
Here’s what how the world of Twitter celebrated India’s win. Mind you, coach Rahul Dravid was certainly a central theme:
Kalra came for a lot of praise for his entertaining century...
The Indian bowlers did a fine job in restricting the Australians to 216.
Dravid’s crowning moment and more...
There was room for some tongue-in-cheek humour too in the midst of all this..
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