Last Updated:
On This Day In 2018: The Prithvi Shaw-led team beat Australia by eight wickets to secure a dominant win.
India won the World Cup title with Rahul Dravid as the coach of young Team India. (Image: ICC/X, formerly Twitter)
On This Day In 2018: Seven years ago, India scripted history by winning the ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup for a record fourth time. They previously missed out on the crown in the 2016 final after a heartbreaking loss to the West Indies. The India squad seemingly learned from their mistakes, producing a spotless campaign to bag the trophy with the legendary Rahul Dravid at the team’s helm.
Competing in Mount Maunganui on this day in 2018, the Prithvi Shaw-led team beat Australia by eight wickets to secure a dominant win. They finished their campaign unbeaten, displaying remarkable consistency and their unwavering spirit. India opener Manjot Kalra was awarded the Player of the Match for his hundred, whereas Shubman Gill took home the Player of the Tournament.
The epic final saw Australia win the toss and elect to bat first at the Bay Oval. They got off to a steady start as Jack Edwards and Max Bryant opened the innings. India fast-bowler Ishan Porel drew the first blood in the sixth over, dismissing Bryant for 14 runs. In the next six overs, Australia lost another couple of wickets to find themselves at 59/3.
The Aussie duo of Param Uppal and Jonathan Merlo formed a partnership to anchor the innings. The joint effort was brought to an end by Anukul Roy, who sent Uppal packing in the penultimate delivery of the 29th over. Merlo continued firing on all fronts for the Aussies to help them set a 216-run total in the first innings. Indian bowlers, including Porel, Roy, Shiva Singh and Kamlesh Nagarkoti, combined for eight wickets in the half.
India enjoyed a solid start as skipper Prithvi Shaw and Manjot Kalra opened the chase. They added 71 runs before the captain fell prey to Will Sutherland in the 12th over.
Kalra formed another partnership with a young Shubman Gill, taking India’s tally to 131. Gill was beaten by Param Uppal in the 22nd over which went on to be the last wicket India lost in the final. Harvik Desai added another unbeaten 47 runs to push India over the finish line by the 39th over.
India’s massive victory over a formidable Australian side not only solidified their dominance in under-19 cricket but also showcased the nation’s rich talent pool. The triumph marked a significant moment in Indian cricket, as it was Rahul Dravid’s first World Cup title. The remarkable achievement also paved the way for him to become the senior team coach three years later in 2021.
