TAURANGA, New Zealand: India cruised to a comfortable eight-wicket win over Australia in the Under-19 Cricket World Cup final here on Saturday.
The BCCI was quick to announce a financial reward for the Indian players and coaching staff, with head coach Rahul Dravid set to enjoy a bonus of approximately A$100,000, while the playing group were to be given A$60,000 each.
Set a sub-par target of 217 after Australia had won the toss and opted to bat, India always looked in control, with their ability to build partnerships key in reaching 220-2 in 38.5 overs.
An unbeaten 101 from Manjot Kalra underpinned the Indian innings, his 102-ball innings comprising eight fours and three sixes.
A 71-run opening partnership between Prithvi Shaw and Kalra set the tone before 18-year-old all-rounder Will Sutherland clean bowled the Indian skipper for 29 in the 12th over.
Kalra and Shubman Gill added 60 runs for the second wicket, their partnership cut short when Param Uppal bowled the dangerous right-hander for 31 off 30 balls.
Wicketkeeper Harvik Desai and Kalra were untroubled in wrapping up the Indian win. Desai’s unbeaten 47 off 63 balls provided the perfect support for Kalra’s fluent century.
Earlier, Australia were bowled out for 216 in 47.2 overs. All-rounder Jonathan Merlo anchored the innings with a 102-ball 76 which included six fours.
A 75-run fourth-wicket partnership between Uppal and Merlo resurrected the Australian innings after they were teetering at 59-3 four balls into the 12th over.
Medium pacer Ishan Porel removed Max Bryant (14) and Jack Edwards (28) and then paceman Kamlesh Nagarkoti claimed skipper Jason Sangha for 13.
Uppal and Merlo’s fourth-wicket stand put Australia back on track, the pair rebuilding patiently until spinner Anukul Roy struck in the 29th over, taking a comfortable return catch off a leading edge to dismiss Uppal for 34.
Nathan McSweeney (23 off 29) added another 49 runs for the fifth wicket before chipping another return catch to Shiva Singh early in the 40th over to leave Australia at 183-5.
The Australians could add only 33 runs for their last five wickets, tied down in their final eight overs by sharp fielding and intelligent bowling.
Roy finished with 2-32 off seven overs, equalling Qais Ahmad of Afghanistan and Canadian Faisal Jamkhandi as the leading wicket-takers for the tournament with 14.
Meanwhile, batting great Sachin Tendulkar led the accolades after India’s Under-19 cricketers won a record fourth World Cup, sparking off celebrations in the cricket-crazy country.
Fans danced in the streets and exchanged sweets just as Desai hit the winning boundary in the final to seal the win.
Tendulkar, who was a part of India’s senior side that won the World Cup in 2011, said the win should spur the players to bigger glory in the coming days. “With great team work, great dreams work. Congratulations to our world champions, you have made us proud,” Tendulkar said in a recorded video on Twitter.
“For our youngsters the beautiful journey has just begun ... continue to give your best and enjoy the game above all, good luck and have a wonderful career.”
Prime Minister Narendra Modi too joined in the collective applause, saying the win made every Indian extremely proud.
“Absolutely thrilled by the stupendous achievement of our young cricketers,” Modi tweeted from his official account.
Mohammad Kaif (2000), current senior team captain Virat Kohli (2008) and Unmukt Chand (2012) had previously led the Indian Under-19 team to victory.
Scores in brief: India 217-2 (Kalra 101 not out, Desai 47 not out, Gill 31) beat Australia 216 all out (Merlo 76, Uppal 34; Anukul 2-32, Shiva Singh 2-36) by eight wickets.
from The News International - Sports http://ift.tt/2DZZxqq
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