Four cheers for Indian Youths
Opener Manjot Kalra smacked an unbeaten 101 in even time as India easily disposed of Australia at Mount Maunganui on Sunday to win the Under-19 World Cup for a fourth time.
With Kalra scoring freely, India won by eight wickets as they chased down Australia's 216 all out with more than 11 overs to spare.
The opener's century included eight fours and three sixes, and he was well supported by wicketkeeper Harvik Desai, who was 47 not out when he finished the match with a boundary.
The pair put on 89 for the third wicket, while Prithvi Shaw scored 29 at the top of the innings and Shubman Gill added 31.
Australia's innings, all over in the 48th over, was held together by Jonathan Merlo's 76 after it fell apart despite a promising start.
The victory sparked wild celebration in cricket-crazy India with their great Sachin Tendulkar leading the accolade after a record fourth World Cup.
Fans danced in the streets and exchanged sweets just as Harvik Desai hit the winning boundary in the final to seal an eight-wicket win over Australia.
With celebrated former captain Rahul Dravid as the coach, the Indians finished the 16-team competition in New Zealand unbeaten.
"With great team work, great dreams work. Congratulations to our world champions, you have made us proud," Tendulkar said in a recorded video on Twitter.
"For our youngsters the beautiful journey has just begun ... continue to give your best and enjoy the game above all, good luck and have a wonderful career."
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) promptly announced a cash bonanza for the team, with Dravid to receive five million rupees ($78,000) and $47,000 for each of the 16 players in the winning squad.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi too joined in the collective applause, saying the win made every Indian extremely proud.
"Absolutely thrilled by the stupendous achievement of our young cricketers," Modi tweeted from his official account.
Mohammad Kaif (2000), current senior team captain Virat Kohli (2008) and Unmukt Chand (2012) had previously led the Indian Under-19 team to victory.
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