OTD: Unmukt Chand led India to third Under-19 World Cup glory

A new age wave on August 26, 2012 lashed on Townsville. A small town, away from hustling and bustling, flooded in blue as India won their third Under 19 ICC World Cup, defeating Australia. Unmukt Chand, then the captain of India U19, led his team to the glory. Chand played an unbeatable 111 off 130 to secure the match and the trophy for Team India. For the World Cup, a group of boys were all together for about 18 months, grew together, and conquered the opponents—India was undoubtedly the deserving champion of the 2012 U19 WC. 

Talking about the match, Australia went to bat first and lost 4 wickets in quick intervals. Their middle order started to give India the real fight. William Bosisto, then the captain of U19 Australia, Travis Head, and Ashton Turner stood tall against the Indian bowling attack. Bosisto remained not out for 87, Head scored 37, Turner got 43, and Australia in total registered 225/8 on the scoreboard. Fast bowler Sandeep Sharma, in peak form, clinched 4 wickets in the process in his 4-over spell. The spinners kept the Australian strike rate close to the ground. 

The target was not too big, but Australians were not there with the intention to roam Team India on the ground without any hesitation. Joel Paris and Ashton Turner tried to control India's batting attack as much as possible. Prashant Chopra went for a duck, but his opening partner, Unmukt Chand, left no stones unturned.

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Chand was the man under spotlight 

He remained firm on the track until his team secured the much-desired victory. Facing 130 balls, the top-order batsman remained unbeaten for 111. Hanuma Vihari and Vijay Zol's quick dismissal did not bother the Men in Blue, as Baba Aparajith (33) and then Smit Patel (62*) supported their skipper well. India chased down the target of 226 in 47.4 overs, losing only 4 scalps. 

"I do not know what is happening right now. Thankful to God, I have taken the team through. The Aussies played really well, but we came out on top. Townsville has been amazing for us," Chand said after the match.