2008 U19 World Cup India squad: Who won U19 World Cup 2008?

On March 2, 2008, under the captaincy of Virat Kohli, the Indian cricket team emerged victorious in the ICC Under-19 World Cup, defeating South Africa in an enthralling final in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. This talented and spirited Indian side showcased their prowess by triumphing in all their group matches, maintaining an impeccable winning streak throughout the tournament. However, it was the rain-marred final that truly tested India’s mettle, revealing their true character as the young cricketers displayed nerves of steel to secure their second U-19 World Cup title at that time.

Despite the challenging weather conditions, the Indian team refused to falter and adapted to the demanding circumstances. The match, governed by the D/L method, saw India emerge victorious by a margin of 12 runs. This victory was a testament to the team’s aggressive playing style and unwavering determination. Led by a young and inspiring leader in Virat Kohli, the Indian under-19 team showcased their immense potential and proved their ability to thrive under pressure.

2008 U19 World Cup India squad

Virat Kohli (c), Ravindra Jadeja (vc), Ajitesh Argal, Napoleon Einstein, Shreevats Goswami (wk), Perry Goyal (wk), Iqbal Abdulla, Siddarth Kaul, Taruwar Kohli, Abhinav Mukund, Manish Pandey, Pradeep Sangwan, Duvvarapu Sivakumar, Tanmay Srivastava, Saurabh Tiwary.

In the rain-affected match in Kuala Lumpur, India and South Africa faced off at the Kinara Academy Oval. The toss was won by South Africa, and they elected to field, hoping to test India on a challenging pitch. India’s opening batsmen, Taruwar Kohli and Shreevats Goswami, took the crease, but their partnership was short-lived as a young Wayne Parnell removed Taruwar early, dismissing him for just 1 run. Goswami followed suit, scoring only 6 runs before returning to the pavilion.

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The pressure was on 2008 U19 World Cup India squad, but Tanmay Srivastava and captain Virat Kohli held their ground. They stitched together a crucial partnership, aiming to stabilize the innings. However, Pieter Malan managed to break through India’s defenses and sent Kohli back to the pavilion. Kohli’s departure was a blow to India’s hopes, but they still had Saurabh Tiwary and Manish Pandey in the middle order. Both batsmen contributed with valuable runs, scoring 20 each before being dismissed. Their inputs were crucial as India were eventually bowled out for 159 runs in 45.4 overs.

As rain once again interrupted the match in Kuala Lumpur, the target for South Africa was revised from 159 runs to 116 runs in 25 overs. South Africa began their innings with openers Pieter Malan and JJ Smuts taking on the new ball. However, India struck early as Ajitesh Argal dismissed Malan for just 2 runs. This early setback put South Africa under pressure, and India capitalized on it when Argal struck again to dismiss Rilee Rossouw at the No. 3 position. The scorecard read 11/3 in 7.4 overs when Smuts fell victim to a run-out.

Reeza Hendricks and South African captain Wayne Parnell then steadied the innings and displayed remarkable resilience. Their partnership frustrated the Indian bowlers for a while, as they showcased their determination to chase down the target. However, it was Ravindra Jadeja who finally managed to break the partnership, dismissing Hendricks for 35 runs. This breakthrough was crucial for India, as Siddarth Kaul soon followed it up by bowling out Parnell for 29 runs.

As the match progressed, the contest between bat and ball intensified. Both teams fought tooth and nail to gain the upper hand. India’s bowlers, backed by the fielders, strived to pick up wickets and restrict South Africa’s progress. On the other hand, South Africa’s batsmen, mindful of the required run rate, sought to score boundaries and keep their team in the hunt.

With the match delicately poised, every moment became crucial. The rain interruptions had made the situation unpredictable, and both teams knew that they had to make the most of the limited overs available to them. India’s bowlers displayed their skill and determination, persistently attacking the South African batsmen. On the field, the Indian players were charged up, supporting their bowlers with agile fielding and sharp catches.

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As the match drew to a close, the tension in the air was palpable. Every run and wicket mattered greatly, and the outcome of the match hung in the balance. South Africa needed to maintain composure and play calculated strokes, while India strived to deliver the final blows and secure victory.

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