The India colts took the world by storm as they thrashed Australia by eight wickets in the summit clash of the ICC U-19 World Cup at Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui on Saturday. Courtesy this win, the boys in blue lifted the world title for the record fourth time in the history of the tournament. Opener Manjot Kalra hammered an unbeaten century, he batted through the innings and remained unbeaten on 101 runs off 102 deliveries as the Indians romped past the modest target of 217 runs with 67 balls to spare.
Wicketkeeper Harvik Desai played an excellent supporting role at the other end and was not out on 47 runs off 61 balls. Desai brought up the title win in style, smashing a boundary off Australian pacer Will Sutherland through the off-side. Earlier, the Indian bowling brigade did a brilliant job to restrict the Kangaroos for a below par score of 216. Kalra was adjudged the man of the match while compatriot Shubman Gill took home the player of the tournament award.
Hailing Indian U-19 team's fabulous achievement, senior team captain Virat Kohli also shared a congratulatory message on his official Twitter handle - "What a win for the U19 boys, take it as a stepping stone; Long long way to go! Enjoy the moment!" @BCCI #U19CWC
This is India’s fourth U-19 World Cup title after Mohammad Kaif’s team won it in 2000, Virat Kohli’s side won it in 2008 and Unmkut Chand led India to the trophy in 2012.
Kohli is currently on a tour to South Africa where he is leading the Team India in the ongoing six-match ODI series. The 29-year old batsman further enhanced his reputation as a 'chase master' as he smashed his 33rd hundred to lead India to a six-wicket victory over South Africa in the first ODI in Durban on Thursday. Kohli scored 112 off 119 balls with the help of 10 boundaries and put on the 189-run stand for the third-wicket with Ajinkya Rahane (79 runs of 86 balls) as India chased down the target of 270 with 4.3 overs to spare.
It was the highest stand for India in South Africa, while Kohli notched up his 20th hundred in a run-chase, out of which 18 have been successfully converted to victories. After scoring freely all across the world, this was Kohli's first ODI hundred on the South African soil.
