By Hindustan Times
Unmukt Chand led from front with an impressive hundred as India Under-19 lifted their third World Cup title after beating formidable defending champions Australia by six wickets within the final here today. This was India U-19s first triumph after Mohammed Kaif and Virat Kohli led their
respective teams to victory in 2000 and 2008 editions respectively.
Courtesy a powerful unbeaten 111 by Unmukt and his unbroken partnership of 130 runs with glovesman Smit Patel, India overhauled a competitive target of 226 on a bouncy strip with 14 balls to spare.
It was among the finest centuries you possibly can have witnessed on the junior level as Unmukt hit seven fours and as many as six sixes during his 130-ball knock.
He completed his century with a six over extra cover off Alex Gregory however the celebrations were very muted. The skipper knew that the job was only half done.
Once Smit, who hit an efficient 62, slog-swept off-spinner Ashton Turner towards deep mid-wicket for a four numerous Indian supporters rushed to the bottom along to celebrate with the team.
Though four wickets were lost within the chase, it never seemed like an uphill task for the Indians, who were subdued within the middle overs but accelerated towards the top to get to the objective with ease.
After Prashant Chopra was out chasing a delivery down leg side of Mark Steketee without troubling the scorers, Unmukt and in-form batsman Baba Aparajith (33) took the attack to the opposition.
The duo added 73 runs for the second one wicket playing the Aussie pace trio of Steketee, Joel Paris and Gurinder Sandhu with ease.
