TOWNSVILLE: Unmukt Chand led from the front with a knock of 111 as India defeated Australia by six wickets to win the 2012 U-19 World Cup. This is their third title, with the previous wins coming in 2000 and 2008. Needing 226 for a win, India lost Prashant Chopra (0) early, before Unmukt Chand and Baba Aparajith (33) put together a 73-run partnership for the second wicket.
Once Aparajith fell for 33, India lost Hanuma Vihari (4) and Vijay Zol (1) cheaply, before Smit Patel (62) joined forces with Unmukt Chand.
Together, the two added 130 runs together, with Patel bringing up the winning runs after hitting Ashley Turner to the midwicket fence for four.
There was the element of luck involved, as Unmukt Chand was dropped on 84 by counterpart William Bossito at mid-wicket.
Man-of-the-Match Unmukt Chand was in his elements, driving away at will, and smashing 6 huge sixes, most of which went over the bowler’s head.
He was well supported by Smit Patel, who took some time to find his bearings, but played second fiddle when it mattered the most.
Earlier, India won the toss and asked Australia to bat first, making an impact right away, as Sandeep Sharma started by removing Jimmy Peirson and Cameron Bancroft. 8/2 soon became 38/4, as Ravikant Singh and Baba Aparajith removed Kurtis Patterson (16) and Meyrick Buchanan (12).
Skipper William Bosisto (87) then forged important partnerships with Travis Head (37) and Ashley Turner (43) as Australia recovered to post 225/8. Sandeep Sharma  was India’s best bowler finishing with figures of 4/54.
Unfortunately it wasn’t enough. This was Australia’s first loss in an U-19 World Cup final.(Yahoo Sport)