Opening batsman Manjot Kalra scored an unbeaten 101 to help India win the under-19 World Cup for the fourth time with an eight-wicket victory over Australia in Mount Maunganui on Saturday.
Australia, choosing to bat after winning the toss, was all out for 216 in 47.2 overs. Jonathan Merlo top-scored for Australia with 76 while four Indian bowlers took two wickets each.
India’s U-19 coach Rahul Dravid expressed that he is proud of his boys.
Rahul Dravid I am really proud of the boys, proud of the effort that they have put in and proud of the support staff as well. I think the effort we have put in over the last 14 months have been sensational. They really deserved this, couldn’t be really happier and proud for this bunch of boys.
The former India captain hopes that it’s not a memory that defines these U-19 World Cup champions.
Rahul Dravid It’s really nice for them and hopefully it’s a memory they’ll cherish for a long time, and hopefully it’s not a memory that defines them and they will have a lot more bigger and better memories as they go on ahead in their careers.
Dravid stressed about the fact that the focus shouldn’t be on him, but the quality of the support staff.
Rahul Dravid Coaching this team I tend to get a lot of attention, but it is really about the quality of support staff that we have had, there have been seven, eight of us who have been together for the last 14 months, the effort they put in was incredible. I am proud to be a part of their (support staff) team and see it as that. We try and do what’s best for the kids and hopefully they can put in the performances on the field and they have certainly done that in this tournament.
India, which lost the 2014 final to the West Indies, cruised in reply to 220-2 and never looked threatened in surpassing Australia’s total in the 39th over. Lefthander Kalra’s 101 came from 102 balls.
India beat Australia by 100 runs in the tournament opener and were undefeated the rest of the way.
It was India’s sixth appearance in the under-19 final. Australia have made the final five times, winning the tournament three times.
(With inputs from The Quint)
