2018 Under-19 World Cup Finals: India vs Australia, 5 talking points 

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High on confidence, the Indian u-19 team took the Bay Oval at Mount Maunganui in the finals of the World Cup against Australia. The squad, coming into the grand summit after going undefeated throughout the event, were on the quest for their fourth World trophy at the junior level.

Guided by yet another all-round performance, the colts emerged victorious by 8 wickets after the target of 216, set by the Aussies, hardly proved a challenge for the Prithvi Shaw-led side.

Here are five talking points from the match.

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#1 A fighting partnership between Jonathan Merlo and Param Uppal

After Australia had been reduced to 59-3, it was imperative that the Aussies stitched together a partnership, which would not only provide solidity to the line-up, but would also help post a competitive target on the board.

Jonathan Merlo and Param Uppal combined to notch up a 75-run partnership, which frustrated the rivals. After Uppal’s departure, with the score reading 134, Merlo and Nathan McSweeney helped Australia with a 49-run partnership for the fifth wicket, but a flurry of wickets in the end overs meant that Australia could only notch up 216. 

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