India win under-19 World Cup

Congratulations to Virat Kohli and his India team, who have won the Under-19 World Cup today, beating South Africa by 12 runs under Duckworth-Lewis in Kuala Lumpur. It was a low-scoring final with India dismissed for 159 and then South Africa falling to 17 for three before the rains came. The revised target was 116 in 25 overs but India strangled South Africa's innings and with 26 needed off the last two overs, they could manage only 13.

It will be interesting to see how many players on these sides kick on to become the heroes of the next decade. Ishant Sharma, of course, could have been playing in Malaysia but, having been selected by the senior India side last summer, he has moved on to greater things and a near million-dollar pay offer from the IPL. South Africa's fielding has apparently been first-rate and the side coached by Ray Jennings have lived up to the standard of Jonty Rhodes. For India, Kohli and Tanmay Srivastava were the outstanding batsmen of the tournament. Could they be the inheritors of the mantle of Dravid, Tendulkar and Sehwag?

As for England, Billy Godleman enhanced his fine reputation as an opening batsman, while James Taylor sprung to the attention as Godleman's partner, but the rest of the batsmen were given little opportunity to impress. Tom Westley has promise as a spinning all-rounder and Steven Finn, the fast bowler, should get more chances with Middlesex this season. If they become the next generation's Hick and Caddick, you read it here first.

Comments

[Avi]

I do not agree with patrick or kap. I think Virat Kohli deserves to be happy and no one can steal that right from him whether it is looney or cute.

[kap]

I was critical of the Aussies in the aftermath of the second test and that's why I'm not happy about the Indian under 19s doing the same. Since my first post I read an article that the Indians and South Africans are very good friends and have been socialising since the final. If this is the case it makes the behaviour of Kohli and co even more reprehensible.

[Patrick Kidd]

I didn't see the match but I'm sorry to hear about the behaviour of the India team afterwards. I saw pretty much the same thing from the under-19s (including Kohli) when they toured here in 2006. At the end of the third Test of three, with the first two having been drawn, India won the final Test with about eight minutes to go and their behaviour, admittedly an expression of their relief, was not particularly dignified. Lots of ripping stumps out of the ground, forgetting to shake hands with the England team, tearing around the outfield etc. Pretty similar, in fact, to the way Australia performed after Michael Clarke's last-over wicket-taking in the recent Test in Sydney... I guess everyone acts like that when they win a tight match.

[Mohan Sinha]

I agree with Kap. India Under 19 skipper Virat Kohli's behaviour, after his team won was appalling. He was running around waving two stumps and behaving like a lunatic who had just escaped from an asylum. Maybe, he should take inspiration from his senior Anil Kumble on how to conduct himself on a cricket field.

[kap]

I tuned into the match hoping for an Indian win but quickly found myself rooting for the South Africans. The behaviour of the Indians was appalling; snarling at opponents, barging past them in the moment of victory and even forgetting to shake hands. I know there has been much talk coming out of India that they need to play the Australian way but if the antics of the under 19s are a pointer to the future of Team India they will lose a lot of support.