Over the years, the Indian U-19 cricket team – which will take on Australia in the final of the ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup 2018 – has been a part of some matches that have proven to be quite significant in its cricketing history. Here’s a look at five of its most memorable matches at the tournament in the past:
India vs Pakistan, 2012 ICC U-19 Cricket World Cup
Chasing a paltry 137, India were cruising at 73/3 at one stage before inspired spells from Zia-ul-Haq and Ehsan Adil had the Unmukt Chand-led side sinking at 127/9. Harmeet Singh and Sandeep Sharma, India’s No. 8 and 11 respectively, batted with immense composure for the next 42 balls to score the ten runs they needed to enter the semi-finals.
The duo made sure that their stupendous show with the ball, that restricted Babar Azam’s team cheaply, wasn’t in vain.
India vs South Africa, 2008 ICC U-19 Cricket World Cup final
Bowled out for 159 following an impressive performance by South Africa’s bowlers, the Virat Kohli-led India responded by taking three quick wickets before rain interrupted.
At the end, it all came down to a battle of nerves which the Indian bowlers held theirs better than the South African batsmen to win their second U-19 World Cup by a dozen runs (D/L).
{{/usCountry}}At the end, it all came down to a battle of nerves which the Indian bowlers held theirs better than the South African batsmen to win their second U-19 World Cup by a dozen runs (D/L).
{{/usCountry}}Fair to say, it made Kohli and Ravindra Jadeja the cricketers they are today.
India vs Sri Lanka, 2000 ICC U-19 Cricket World Cup final
Mohammad Kaif’s side shut down Sri Lanka’s challenge to claim their maiden Under-19 Cricket World Cup trophy.
Their six-wicket win when scoring the required 179 runs was achieved in such a way that at no stage during the final, just as it was throughout the tournament, they seemed under any pressure.
“It’s good for Indian cricket that this side has won. I’m sure that it is going to lift the game up at home, especially amongst the younger players,” said an ecstatic Roger Binny, who coached this side.
Also, it turned out be a career-changing tournament for Yuvraj Singh who then became a permanent member of the senior team.
India vs Pakistan, 2006 ICC U-19 Cricket World Cup final
Pakistan retained the title at the Premadasa Stadium as they successfully defended 109 courtesy a magnificent display of swing bowling from Anwar Ali, who took 5/35 in their 28-run win.
After eight overs, India were 23/7. Piyush Chawla and Pinal Shah did give India hope with their 39-run stand but Anwar and Jamshed Ahmed made sure Pakistan became the first side to defend their crown.
After putting up a superb show in the first innings, India faltered without much of a fight in their chase.
India vs Nepal, 2016 ICC U-19 Cricket World Cup
This match would be remembered for Rishabh Pant, who slammed the fastest fifty in Under-19 Cricket World Cup history, off 18 balls, as India obliterated Nepal by seven wickets.
He added 124 in 9.1 overs with his captain Ishan Kishan, who hit 52 off 40 balls. India eventually chased down Nepal’s total of 169 with 179 balls to spare.
His 24-ball 78 included nine boundaries and five sixes.
The previous record of fastest fifty was held by West Indies batsman Trevon Griffith, who reached the landmark in 19 balls in the 2009-10 edition of the tournament.