MOUNT MAUNGANUI, New Zealand: Opening batsman Manjot Kalra scored an unbeaten 101 and India won the under-19 Cricket World Cup for the fourth time with an eight-wicket victory Saturday over Australia.
Australia, choosing to bat after winning the toss, was all out for 216 in 47.2 overs at Bay Oval, Tauranga. Jonathan Merlo top-scored for Australia with 76 while four Indian bowlers took two wickets each.
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 was undefeated the rest of the way.
It was India’s sixth appearance in the U-19 final. Australia had made the final five times, winning the tournament three times.
Sachin 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."
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) promptly announced a cash bonanza for the team, with Dravid to receive five million rupees ($78,000) and $47,000 for each of the 16 players in the winning squad.
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.
Australia, choosing to bat after winning the toss, was all out for 216 in 47.2 overs at Bay Oval, Tauranga. Jonathan Merlo top-scored for Australia with 76 while four Indian bowlers took two wickets each.
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 was undefeated the rest of the way.
It was India’s sixth appearance in the U-19 final. Australia had made the final five times, winning the tournament three times.
Sachin 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."
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) promptly announced a cash bonanza for the team, with Dravid to receive five million rupees ($78,000) and $47,000 for each of the 16 players in the winning squad.
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.
