In 2018, India entered history seven years back by clinching the ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup title for a record fourth time, barring the one in 2016 when they lost to the West Indies in that final. The Indian team, under Rahul Dravid‘s impressive leadership, obviously learnt the lessons of missed opportunities, successfully conquering every team that crossed its path.
In Mount Maunganui, on this day in 2018, they registered an emphatic victory with eight wickets against Australia, to finish the competition in style. An unbeaten run gave absolute confidence, and having the high spirits displayed throughout the tournament stood them in good stead. Manjot Kalra, the match-winner for India with his ton, was on a high, while Shubman Gill earned the other prestigious award as Player of the Tournament.
In an epic final, Australia won the toss and opted to bat first at the Bay Oval. They were steady in their approach with Jack Edwards and Max Bryant opening the innings. India fast bowler Ishan Porel drew first blood in the sixth over, getting rid of Bryant for 14 runs. In the next six overs, Australia lost another couple of wickets to find themselves 59 for 3.
The Aussie duo of Param Uppal and Jonathan Merlo partnered to stabilize the innings with their own creativity. Anukul Roy terminated the partnership by sending Uppal back to the hut with the second last ball of the 29th over. Merlo continued to counterattack and help the Australians set a first-innings total of 216. Indian bowlers, including Ishan Porel, Anukul Roy, Shiva Singh, and Kamlesh Nagarkoti, shared eight wickets amongst them in the innings.
India were off to a solid start with skipper Prithvi Shaw and Manjot Kalra opening the chase. They put on 71 runs before Shaw fell to Will Sutherland in the 12th over.
In partnership with the very young Shubman Gill, he formed another stand for 131 runs. Gill was out bowled by Param Uppal in the 22nd over, which turned out to be the last wicket as India went on to lose in the final. Harvik Desai scored an unbeaten 47 runs and took India through by the 39th over.India’s big win over a strong Australian side only reaffirmed their dominance in under-19 cricket and showed how rich the country is with talent.
The victory became a landmark in Indian cricket’s history as this was the first World Cup title for Rahul Dravid. This great accomplishment also secured Rahul’s path into becoming the senior team coach three years later in 2021.
