2018 Under-19 World Cup Final, India vs Australia: Things which went right for India
The Prithvi Shaw-led Team India remained unbeaten in the tournament as they cruised to a comfortable eight-wicket win over Australia in the Under-19 Cricket World Cup final at Mount Maunganui on Saturday.
Chasing 217 to win, India reached the target with 67 balls remaining and became the only side to win the trophy four times.
Now, let us have a look at everything that went right for U-19 champions India.
#5 Restricting Australia to 216
Doesn't matter if you are batting first or second, it is always important to strike at regular intervals to keep the opposition's batsmen under check and slow down the scoring rate.
At one stage, riding on Jonathan Merlo's fighting knock, Australia definitely looked on course for a score of 250, or possibly more, but, a stellar comeback by the Indian bowlers restricted their opponents to 216 in 47.2 overs.
The Indian bowlers first ran through Australia's top-order, then kept striking at regular intervals and did not let the batsmen accelerate the scoring rate.
Australia could add only 33 runs for their last five wickets in their final eight overs courtesy of India's sharp fielding and intelligent bowling.
Anukul Roy finished with 2-32 in his 7 overs, equalling Qais Ahmad of Afghanistan and Canadian Faisal Jamkhandi as the leading wicket-takers for the tournament with 14.
The young Indian bowling unit was a menacing one throughout the tournament as none of their opponents could put up a fight against them.