ICC U-19 World Cup 2018: Virender Sehwag Credits Rahul Dravid for Triumph

The Indian Junior team scripted history by registering their 4^th U-19 World Cup triumph at the Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui today after defeating Australia quite comprehensively by eight wickets.

They have also become the 1^st team to lift the World Cup title four times. They outplayed Australia in all three departments of the game and kept their winning streak in the tournament intact.

Winning the toss, Aussie skipper Jason Sangha opted to bat. It was a fascinating display of fast bowling by Ishan Porel and Kamlesh Nagarkoti, as Australia was reduced to 59/3.

Jonathan Merlo scored a defiant 76 and shared some crucial partnerships to steady the ship for the Aussies. However, with the score reading 183/4, Australia suffered a dramatic collapse and was bundled out for a below par 216 in 47.1 overs.

Porel, Shiva Singh, Kamlesh Nagarkoti and Anukul Roy shared two wickets each while Shivam Mavi bagged a solitary one.

India was hardly troubled throughout the chase, as openers, Prithvi Shaw and Manjot Kalra began superbly. Both played some exceptional shots to put the Aussies off. Despite the dismissals of Prithvi Shaw and Shubman Gill, it was Manjot who carried on his good work and took India over the finishing line.

The southpaw shared an unbeaten 89 runs partnership with Harvik Desai, as India chased the total down with utmost ease. Manjot reached a well deserved century and remained unbeaten on 101 while Desai was batting 47 when India struck the winning runs. They were the most consistent team all through the tournament and were the deserving winners.

The Men in Blue defeated Australia twice, Papua New Guinea, Zimbabwe, Bangladesh and Pakistan to lift the coveted title. Prithvi Shaw also joined the ranks of Virat Kohli, Mohammed Kaif and Unmukt Chand to lead India to U-19 World Cup title. Credit also goes to their head coach Rahul Dravid for shaping these young kids over the span of the last couple of years.

Congratulating him and the whole junior Sehwag taking to his twitter handle wrote,

“Every Indian is delighted, all credit to Rahul Dravid for committing himself to these young kids, and a legend like him deserves to lay his hands on the WC. Only Fitting. #INDvAUS”

Every Indian is delighted, all credit to Rahul Dravid for committing himself to these young kids ,and a legend like him deserves to lay his hands on the WC. Only Fitting. #INDvAUS

— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) February 3, 2018

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