India thrash Australia at the Bay Oval to be worthy winners of U19 Cricket World Cup

A victorious Indian U19 Cricket Team celebrate with the trophy after their win over Australia during the ICC U-19 Cricket World Cup 2018. Photo/Photosport

The ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup ended with India deservedly the champions after thrashing Australia in the final played at the Bay Oval on Saturday.

India bowled the Australians out for 216 and then cruised to 220-2 with 11.1 overs to spare in the day-night, 50-over decider in front of 3500 people, most of whom were Indian fans.

It was about as comprehensive a victory as you will see in a World Cup final.

India may have found the next Virat Kohli or Shikhar Dhawan; Manjot Kalra, Prithvi Shaw and Shubman Gill were outstanding with the bat in the final and throughout the tournament. The bowling was also strong with a string of lively pace bowlers and cunning spinners.

Batting first after winning the toss, Australia lost opener Max Bryant for 14 followed by the key wicket of Jack Edwards for 28 with Australia 52-2. Captain Jason Sangha failed but Param Uppal played well for 34 off 59 balls before he meekly submitted caught and bowled by left arm spinner Anukul Roy with Australia 134-4 in the 29th over.

Up stepped Jonathan Merlo to guide Australia through to 163-4 at drinks after 35 overs. He put on 49 with Nathan McSweeney, who was out caught and bowled for 23 off 29 balls in the 40th over with the total 183-5.

And that was as good as it got as the last five wickets fell for 23 for Australia to be bowled out for 216.

ICC Under 19 Cricket World Cup final Australia v India Indian supporters. Photo/Andrew Warner.

The Aussies reverted to type as the Indian innings began, sledging the openers in a futile attempt to put them off. Manjot Kalra began his match-winning innings with a straight six off a free hit. He and captain Prithvi Shaw put on 23 off four overs before rain sent the players to the pavilion for a short break.

The mouthing off was a waste of breath as the outstanding openers put on a clinical batting display. Kalra was the more aggressive, hitting some classical off drives and taking 15 off the first over bowled by Jack Edwards.

Shaw was bowled by Sutherland for 29 to break the opening partnership at 71 in the 12th over. That brought star batsman Shubman Gill to the crease and leg spinner Lloyd Pope was thrown the ball immediately in a key moment.

Gill spanked a boundary second ball off Pope and Kalra then smashed him for six in a clear message the Indian batsmen would not let the leggie settle. His first two overs went for 22 as India raced to 103-1.

Kalra's 50 came off 47 balls before Gill was bowled by off-spinner Param Uppal for 31 at 131-2. Keeper Harvik Desai calmed the nerves with a fine knock of 47 not out in an unbroken partnership of 89 with Kalra, who moved elegantly through to 101 not out off 102 balls.

Delirious scenes greeted the winning runs for India's fourth title — another worthy record for a team that never looked like losing at any stage of the tournament.