SK Flashback: India's history at the U19 World Cup

The U19 World cup is the ideal platform for the young guns to become the future stars. This is where their signatures become autographs. India is the most successful team in the history of the tournament, having won the title on four occasions-2000, 2008, 2012, 2018 and finishing as the runners-up in 2006 and 2016.

Many star players started their journey through this tournament. Yuvraj Singh, Shikhar Dhawan, Virat Kohli, Ravindra Jadeja and Kuldeep Yadav are some of the players who made it big after playing in this tournament.

Let us now relive India's incredible journey.

2000 ICC Under-19 World cup

Champions in 2000

The third edition of the tournament was hosted by Sri Lanka. The Indian team was captained by Mohammad Kaif and coached by Roger Binny. India defeated hosts Sri Lanka in the finals at the Sinhalese Sports Club in Colombo, a first final appearance for both these sides.

Indian all-rounder Yuvraj Singh was named as the player of the tournament. Graeme Smith of South Africa was the leading run-scorer with 348 runs.

Pakistan’s Zahid Saeed was the highest wicket taker with 15 wickets. A combined team from the Americas development region had participated in the tournament. This was India’s first ever Under-19 title.

2008 ICC Under-19 World Cup

Virat's boys

This was the seventh edition of the tournament. Malaysia hosted the tournament for the very first time at three venues: Kuala Lumpur, Johor and Penang. India was captained by Virat Kohli and coached by Dav Whatmore.

India defeated South Africa by 12 runs (D/L method) in the rain-hit finals at Kuala Lumpur. The Indian squad included players like Ravindra Jadeja, Manish Pandey, Saurabh Tiwary, Iqbal Abdullah who made it big in the future.

Tanmay Srivastava of India was the highest run-getter with 262 runs. Wayne Parnell of South Africa emerged as the highest wicket taker with 18 wickets. The Kiwi, Tim Southee was the Player of the series. This was India’s Second title.

2012 ICC Under-19 World Cup

2012 Winners- India

The ninth edition of the tournament was hosted by Australia. Unmukt Chand captained India while Bharat Arun was the coach. India defeated the hosts Australia in the finals at Townsville by six wickets.

India’s chase was anchored by Captain Unmukt Chand’s century, a brilliant 111*(130) and Wicket-keeper Smit Patel’s elegant 62*(84). Anamul Haque of Bangladesh was the highest run-getter with 365 runs.

England’s Reece Topley was the highest wicket-taker with 19 wickets. The Australian skipper Will Bosisto was the Man of the series. This was India’s third Under-19 title.

2018 ICC Under-19 World Cup

2018 Under 19 wc team

‘Dravid’s boys’- this is how they were referred to, the Indian U19 boys. The twelfth edition of the tournament was hosted by New Zealand for the third time. Prithvi Shaw captained India while the legendary Rahul Dravid was the coach.

India won the tournament by defeating the Aussies in the final at Mount Maunganui by eight wickets. They were consistent throughout, winning matches by ten wickets and more than 100 run margins.

They stayed unbeaten throughout the tournament. Manjot Kalra anchored India’s chase with an outstanding 101*(102). Anukul Roy of India was the joint highest wicket taker with 14 wickets. Alick Athanaze of West Indies was the highest run-getter with 418 runs.

Shubman Gill of India was the Player of the tournament. This victory was more memorable for an extraordinary person called Rahul Dravid. It was his belief and dedication that made the victory a reality. They became the first side to lift the trophy for a record fourth time.