Indian colts created history yet again by winning the ICC Under 19 World cup here in Tauranga. Dravid’s sprighted boys dominated the proceeding throughout the tournament and it was a repeat of same story in the ICC Under 19 World cup final 2018, as the Prithvi Shaw led side defeated Australia by 8 wickets.
India and Australia have won the coveted trophy thrice. However, India now has a upper hand, winning its fourth Under 19 world cup, which is the highest number of Under 19 titles by any nation.
In overcast conditions at the Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui, Australian captain Jason Sangha won the toss and opted to bat. He hoped of making most of the flat batting wicket and putting India under scoreboard pressure in second innings. India’s middle order was still untested in the tournament, and the Australian coach Ryan Harris had this in the mind, coming into the finals.
Australia lost Max Bryant, Jack Edwards and Jason Sangha at the early part of innings. From 59-3, Australia were in need of a big partnership to challenge India in the summit clash. Jonathan Merlo and Param Uppal took the responsibility to themselves to ensure a big partnership for Australia. The pair added 75 runs for fourth wicket before Uppal became the caught and bowl victim to Anukul Roy. Nathan McSweeney joined Merlo and the pair added 49 runs for 5th wicket.
Just when the things were looking in Australia’s favor to go past 250 runs, Nagarkoti went through the Australian tail as they lost five wickets for just 33 runs and got bundled out on 216-10 in 47.2 overs. Ishan Porel, Kamlesh Nagarkoti, Shiva Singh and Anukul Roy picked two wickets each. Shivam Mavi took 1 wicket.
In the second innings, Indian openers started of in a convincing fashion yet again. Prithvi Shaw played some glorious shots to give India a solid foundation at start of innings, equally contributed by Manjot Kalra. Australian bowlers tried their old and tested way of sledging the batsman but the Indian batters were way to cool and composed, to get offended. India were 71-1 when Shaw felt felt to Sutherland at a score of 29.
Shubman Gill joined Kalra on the crease and didn’t gave any chance to Australia to come back in the match. The duo added 60 runs for the second wicket, to put India in the drivers seat. Shubman felt on a personal score of 31 and India were 131-2, as Harvik Desai joined Manjot Kalra on the crease.
The duo batted sensibely and took India home. Manjot played an unbeaten hand of 101 of just 102 balls with 8 fours and 3 sixes.
Prithvi Shaw has now joined the elite list alongside, Mohammad Kaif (2002), Virat Kohli (2008) and Unmukt Chand (2012) in leading the side to the ICC Under 19 World cup Final 2018 triumph.
ICC Under 19 World Cup Final 2018 summary
Australia: 217/10 (47.2 overs) Jonathan Merlo 76(102), Ishan Porel 2/30.
India 220/2 (38.5) Manjot Kalra 101(102), Will Sutherland 1/36.
INDIA – #U19CWC 2018 CHAMPIONS! ??
Manjot Kalra’s fantastic century guides India to a record-breaking fourth title with a 8 wicket win over Australia! #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/99gag8tXRT
— ICC (@ICC) February 3, 2018
