On this day in 2012: India win U19 World Cup beating Australia under Unmukt Chand

After having won the toss on a bright sunny day, India elected to bowl first at Tony Ireland Stadium, Townsville. The cricket on-lookers were all tied to the match as it was the final of the Under-19 Cricket World Cup 2012. Everybody had their eyes tight on the match to watch what the future stars of the Indian team have under their sleeves.

The batting firepower of Unmukt Chand enabled India to lift the trophy

It was a match that unveiled some extra-ordinary crunch moments and presented itself as a typical India-Australia encounter. Australia was put to bat first and Sandeep Sharma made sure that he removed both their openers early on. Eventually, the top order of Australia crumbled as they were reduced at 38-4. Travis Head then tried to rebuild the innings by adding a crucial 37 to the team’s account. However, he had to walk back to the hut as he looked to cut behind point and in the attempt to grab a single, he was run-out.

Skipper William Bosisto (87*) stood out for the team and held the innings together. His innings helped Australia to post the target of 225 at the end of 50 overs. The score might seem a comparatively below-par one but it was a World Cup final and it had to be chased. When India took the charge with the bat, Mark Steketee removed opener Prashant Chopra for a duck.

Unmukt Chand and Baba Aparajith then put up some good batting displays. However, a stunner of a one-handed catch by Ashton Turner meant that Baba Aparajith (33) had to walk back to the pavilion. Further, India witnessed a mini-collapse as they were reduced to 97-4. The side then decided to promote wicket-keeper Smit Patel, ahead of frontline batsman Akshdeep Nath.

Chand and Patel then took up the mantle of running the ship of the Indian side. When 35 were required off 30 balls, Chand hit Gurinder Sandhu into the crowd as he brought up his century. Unmukt Chand (111*) and Smit Patel (62*) took India to the finish line as the fans jumped with joy to savour this victory for the team.