Indian U-19 cricket team defeated the Australian U-19 team by eight wickets at Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui, to lift the ICC U-19 World Cup for the fourth time. Indian batsman Manjot Kalra slammed a ton (101* runs) as he became the only second Indian after Unmukh Chand to score a ton in an U-19 World Cup final.

Batting first Australia scored 216 runs at the loss of ten wickets in 47.2 overs. Australian batsman Jonathan Merlo top scored for his side as came to his side’s rescue and scored a half century (76 runs). While Indian bowlers Ishan Porel, Shiva Singh, Kamlesh Nagarkoti, Anukul Roy clinched two wickets each, Shivam Malvi got one wicket. Chasing a target of 217 runs, India looked comfortable right from the start. Even after the Australians clinched skipper Prithvi Shaw and Shubham Gill’s wicket, the momentum of runs for India did not stop. Manjot Kalra along with Harvik Desai, who scored 47 runs, guided India to a comfortable eight wicket win in 38.5 overs.

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Former India cricketer and the Head Coach of the young side – Rahul Dravid – gleamed with joy as the team won the World Cup. While Manjot Kalra was awarded the Man of the Match award, Shubham Gill was adjudged as the the Man of the Series.

The Board of Control For Cricket In India (BCCI) has annouced cash rewards for the Indian U-19 team. While head coach Rahul Dravid will be rewarded with Rs 50 lakh, Indian players will be rewarded with Rs 30 lakh each. The members of support staff of the team will get Rs 20 lakh each.