IndiaPost.com - Indian boys clinch U-19 World Cup

KUALA LUMPUR: India regained the Under-19 Cricket World Cup crown after eight years with a close 12-run victory over South Africa in the rain-affected final here on March 2. This was India's second triumph in the tournament's history after they captured the crown in 2000 in Sri Lanka.

The win also exorcised the memories of the last edition when India went down to Pakistan in a low-scoring final in the same country. Having been bowled out for 159 after being put in to bat, the Indian bowlers came to the party restricting the Proteas to 103 for eight in 25 overs with the adjusted target being 116.

The win was followed by scenes of great jubilation as the players and the coaching staff, including coach Dav Whatmore, erupted in joy and were seen embracing and congratulating each other. Man of the match Ajitesh Argal was the bowler who brought India back in the game taking two early wickets.

But after his quota was reduced to five overs due to the rain, Ravinder Jadeja (2-25) and Siddarth Kaul (2-26) played their roles to perfection to keep the South African batsmen in check. Reeza Hendricks (35) and Wayne Parnell (29) were the main scorers for the Proteas but they never managed to break free from the tight leash in which the Indians kept them.

Earlier, Tanmay Srivastava topscored with 46 as India struggled to a total which did not seem enough to give the South African colts a run for their money. India reduced the opposition to 17 for three in 8.4 overs when the heavens opened and the game was stopped for about hours. When play resumed, South Africa needed 99 from 98 balls with seven wickets in hand.

The Indian bowlers maintained their line and length under pressure and as a result, the asking rate kept rising. Hendricks and Parnell kept the South African fight going with a partnership of 50 runs in 57 balls but the Proteas were always chasing the game.

When they tried to find the boundary, they only succeeded in getting out as Indian captain Virat Kohli marshalled his troops astutely. As many as 19 runs were needed off the final over and even though the first ball went for a four, there was never much chance of South Africa getting to the target. Earlier, the Indian batting succumbed to the disciplined South African bowling and agile fielding to be knocked over for just 159 in 45.4 overs.

India lost wickets at regular intervals and besides Tanmay Srivastava, there were hardly any other significant contributors. South African Parnell was most impressive, claiming two wickets conceding only 21 runs. Matthew Arnold and Roy Adams also scalped two victims apiece.

India were on the backfoot straightaway losing Taruwar Kohli (1) with the team score at three. The control that the South Africans exercised is evident from the fact that the three runs had accrued till the fifth over.

There were hardly any significant partnerships thereafter and the biggest partnership was worth only 47 between Srivastava and skipper Virat Kohli (19).