U19 World Cup 2024: A look back at India’s 5 title wins and 8 appearances in final

India are back in another Under-19 World Cup final. The record five-time winners qualified for the summit clash having defeated South Africa by two wickets in the semi-final to reach their fifth straight U19 World Cup final and ninth overall. Now, the Colts in Blue will be up against Australia in the final match, scheduled to be played at Willowmoore Park in Benoni, South Africa on Sunday, February 11. Sunday’s U19 World Cup summit clash will be the third ICC event on the trot in which Australia and India would square off in the final. The two fierce rivals had previously faced each other in the ICC World Test Championship final and ODI World Cup final in 2023. As India prepare for Sunday’s contest, we take a look at their past performances in the history of the Under-19 World Cup final. 2000 World Cup India appeared in the final of the Under-19 World Cup for the first time in the 1999-2000 edition of the tournament. Making their debut appearance in the Under-19 World Cup final, India displayed a clinical performance to get the better of Sri Lanka by six wickets. 2006 World Cup India featured in the Under-19 World Cup final for the second time in February 2006 but this time it turned out to be a heart-breaking affair. Facing arch-rivals Pakistan in the final, India conceded a 38-run defeat. Chasing a mere total of 110, the Indian team were bowled out for 71. 2008 World Cup India carried forward their brilliance in the next edition of the competition and reached the final stage once again. Led by Virat Kohli, the Indian youngsters displayed a spirited performance to beat South Africa by 12 runs (D/L method) in the final. [caption id=“attachment_13708872” align=“alignnone” width=“640”] Virat Kohli celebrates after guiding India to U19 World Cup win in 2008. AFP[/caption] 2012 World Cup Indian pulled off a triumphant run once again at the 2012 Under-19 World Cup held in Australia. India Under-19, under the leadership of Unmukt Chand, defeated Australia in the final by six wickets. Skipper Unmukt Chand was adjudged player of the match in the final having produced a magnificent century. 2016 World Cup India managed to reach the final of the 2015-16 Under-19 World Cup but they fell short at the last stage. Facing a solid West Indies team, comprising the likes of Shimron Hetmyer, Keemo Paul and Alzarri Joseph, India conceded a five-wicket defeat in the final. Chasing a total of 146, the Caribbean side scored the winning runs with three balls to spare. 2018 World Cup India rectified their errors and went one step further to successfully lift the trophy in the next edition of the Under-19 World Cup. Facing a formidable Australian team in the final, the Prithvi Shaw-led side scripted an emphatic eight-wicket victory to emerge Under-19 world champions. [caption id=“attachment_13708932” align=“alignnone” width=“640”] Prithvi Shaw with U19 World Cup trophy in 2018. AFP[/caption] 2020 World Cup India once again reached the final of the Under-19 World Cup in the next edition but this time their campaign turned out to be a heart-breaking one. Facing neighbours Bangladesh, the Indian team suffered a three-wicket defeat in the final. 2022 World Cup Thanks to Raj Bawa’s sensational all-round prowess, India got the better of England in the final to win their fifth Under-19 World Cup title last time. Batting first, the English side folded for 189 in that game. Raj scripted sensational figures of 5/31 to earn an upper hand for India. Later, Raj pulled off a vital knock of 35 off 54 balls to clinch a remarkable win for India. Nishant Sindhu and Shaik Rasheed also contributed significantly having scored a half century each for India in that game.