Unmukt leads Indian U-19 team to tournament triumph in Australia
NEW DELHI: Since Delhi boy
Unmukt Chand was made captain of India's under-19 team last year, he invited comparisons with Virat Kohli. By winning the quadrangular series in
Australia on Sunday to go with another triumph last year in another four-team competition at home, Unmukt is following in the footsteps of Virat, under whom India won the U-19 world cup.
Unmukt underlined why he is seen as a special talent with an unbeaten 112 in the final. The Australian attack boasted of pace sensation
Pat Cummins as too, but India completed a seven-wicket victory with the team chasing down 195. The ton came after Unmukt scored a match-winning 92 against England in the semifinal.
But as Unmukt would tell you, India were lucky to even play the semifinal, thanks to the rather bizarre rules of the event. India got a chance to play in the semifinal and beyond despite losing all three league games against New Zealand, Australia and England respectively.
Having bounced back from a torrid start, the team now has some confidence ahead of the
U-19 World Cup slated for August this year at the same venues in Queensland.
"We didn't know what was happening in those conditions when we landed there. It's pleasing to bounce back the way did. We will be much better prepared when we come back to play the World Cup here," said the skipper, who gave away his opening slot to bat at No.3. "After the first match when we were dismissed for 123, we thought we needed to lengthen our batting line-up," Unmukt told TOI from Australia. He, however, was quick to point that the move down the order was just for this tournament.
Unmukt struck nine fours and six sixes during his 127-ball knock, as India won with more than seven overs to spare. India chose to field after winning the toss and, thanks to Sandeep Sharma's four-wicket haul, restricted the hosts to 194 for nine in the 50 overs. Harmeet Singh took two for 33.
Unmukt might not have had the best of domestic seasons going into the tournament, having failed to score a single ton, but he credits his exposure in first-class cricket for his exploits at the U-19 level.
"Having played bowlers of higher caliber helps. I knew I had the experience and had to take more responsibility. The hundred in the final is the icing on the cake," said Chand.
Heading his priority list now is the
IPL, in which he is playing for Team Delhi. "The
U-19 Asia Cup and the World Cup are a fair time away. Now I will look to get into T20 mode," said Unmukt, who joins Team Delhi on April 18.
(Source Times of INdia)