TOWNSVILLE (Australia), Aug 26:
India captain Unmukt Chand today hailed the “team spirit and obedience” of his boys after they upstaged formidable defending champions Australia to clinch their third Under-19 World Cup title here today.
“We started two years ago. It has been a great journey. Initially we were 15 people from different states but over the time we have evolved into a single unit. The boys have been very obedient and have helped me a lot in this campaign,” Chand, who was adjudged man of the match for his unbeaten 111-run knock, said.
The Delhi lad’s knock was the bedrock of India’s successful chase of a challenging victory target of 226 set by Australia in bowler-friendly conditions.
Chand, in company of wicketkeeper batsman Smit Patel (62 not out), raised a 130-run partnership for the fifth wicket to help India’s chase.
“It was due. I am thankful to the god that I could take my team through. The Aussies played very well but we came on top,” Chand said.
The skipper also thanked the support staff for their consistent encouragement and said without their help, the campaign would not have been complete.
“I would like to thank the support staff without them it would not have been possible. I would also like to thank my team, we had a great time together. It is a very emotional moment, like to thank all the people in India, who prayed for us and to all the Indian fans at the ground,” he said.
Twitter abuzz with
congratulatory messages for India U-19 squad
NEW DELHI: India’s under-19 cricket team was swamped with congratulatory messages from politicians, cricketers and corporate bosses on twitterati for lifting its third U-19 World Cup title after a gap of four years at Townsville today.
From senior cricketers Yuvraj Singh and Harbhajan Singh to Union Sports Minister Ajay Maken, corporates Anand Mahindra and Vijay Mallya – all came together on Twitter to congratulate the Indian colts on their remarkable achievement.
While the junior Indian team did a Usain Bolt by striking his trademark ‘To The World’ pose after lifting the coveted trophy, players and other celebrities used social networking sites to express their joy after the visitors beat formidable defending champions Australia by six wickets at Tony Ireland Stadium.
“Champions champions champions. Well done India U-19 boys for bringing another world cup home. Very proud of u all. So happy. God bless u all,” tweeted India off-spinner Harbhajan Singh.
Yuvraj Singh wrote: “Proud of the colts!! Congratulations to the u-19 boys for winning the world cup! well played captain @UnmuktChand.”
Sports Minister Maken posted: “Congratulations”
India middle-order batsman Manoj Tiwary was all praise for the Indian team.
“Thank you India U19 Team for making us proud by winning the World Cup trophy. And great inning by @UnmuktChand9 and well played Smit Patel.”
Indian Premier League Commissioner, Rajeev Shukla, extending his best wishes for Team India, wrote: “Congratulate Indian U19 team 4 a spectacular performance 2 lift the World Cup. Australian team deserves praise 4 putting up a good show too.”
Unmukt could feel cup in hand 3 days ago
NEW DELHI: “I can feel the Cup in my hands” — this was Unmukt Chand’s BBM status a good 72 hours before he led India to their third Under-19 cricket World Cup trophy in Townsville, Australia today.
Chand smashed an unbeaten 111 as India chased down a challenging 226-run target against defending champions Australia in the final to win their third title
But much before he actually did the magic for his team, Chand had the feeling that the trophy would come India’s way.
“‘ICC under-19 World Cup nothing else matters and I can feel the Cup in my hands’. This was his Blackberry Messenger status for the past three days,” his father Bharat Chand Thakur told reporters after the triumph.
“They should be groomed further and should not be allowed to go haywire,” he said when asked about how he looks at the future of his son and the other under-19 players after the big triumph.
India won the title after a gap of four years, having bagged the title previously in 2000 and 2008.
Beating Aussies in final is a great achievement: Virat Kohli
HYDERABAD: Virat Kohli, who led the India colts to a World Cup triumph in Kuala Lumpur four years ago congratulated Unmukt Chand led team for beating the mighty Australians in their den.
“Beating Australia in Australia in a World Cup final has never happened before. It’s a great achievement. We would love to wish the U-19 cricketers and congratulate them for winning the World Cup,” Kohli said today.
“Having played at the U-19 level, I know how the feeling is… How special is to win the U-19 World Cup… When you come together for a long period of time and especially in Australian conditions,” said the rising star of senior team who had shot to instant stardom after the U-19 World Cup triumph.(PTI)
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