It was heartbreak for the India colts in the Under-19 cricket World Cup final in Mirpur on Sunday. But full marks to Rahul Dravid's wards for their never-say-die attitude and their will to fight till the very end.
And fight till the end the Indians did, running their opponents West Indies right down to the finish line. The Indian batsmen who have been in good form throughout the tournament, had a rare bad day, but unfortunately it came when it mattered most - the final. But a fiesty India made the contest one to remember, and almost defended their paltry total of 145 successfully, having put the noose around their opponents. In the end, the Carribeans huffed and puffed and it took the resolve of a Keacy Carty and Keemo Paul to take them home.
But the Indians have every reason to hold their heads high. Under-19 teams are well and truly factories that produce the stars of tomorrow. The Indian U-19 teams that have won World Cups before had given us players like Yuvraj Singh, Mohammad Kaif and Virat Kohli, who have done the country proud at the world stage.
India could not win their fourth U-19 world championship on Sunday, but the tournament threw up quite a few names that we can look forward to in times to come. The batting of Rishabh Pant and Sarfaraz Khan, who scored his fifth half-century of the tournament on Sunday and shored up the Indian innings, and the hitting prowess of Mahipal Lomror and the bowling of Mayank Dagar stood out. Rishabh was in the news for a record-breaking half-century against Nepal.
These are the players who would become the mainstays of the Indian senior team in the future. Some of them would showcase their wares in the Indian Premier League (IPL), and franchises have paid good money for them. For instance, Rishabh went to Delhi Daredevils for Rs 1.9 crore, U-19 captain Ishan Kishan to the Gujarat Lions for Rs 35 lakh and Lomror to the Delhi Daredevils for Rs 10 lakh. Sarfaraz Khan, on the other hand, who had been in fine form in the tournament, would turn up for the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in the IPL.
It is certainly not the last that we have heard of Rishabh, Lomror and company.
The efforts of the colts, who went down fighting on Sunday, was given a standing ovation on Twitter, thus:
Heart goes out to the Indian U19 bowlers who were fantastic, gave us a game to cheer & fought till the end. #U19WCFinal
— Mumbai Indians (@mipaltan) February 14, 2016
They played amazing cricket throughout the tournament. They deserve all the appreciations.Future stars. #U19WCFinal pic.twitter.com/XKL0i9Gz1i
— JeetღSG's Albeliya™ (@Shreyanjeet_SN) February 14, 2016
Inspirational by Team India U19 Never give up - fight till the end. What a great coach Rahul Dravid #U19WCFinal
— HusaineFakhruddin (@hf_HusainE) February 14, 2016
Mayank Dagar.. Well played lad! Tried everything to turn this game single-handedly.. #U19WCFinal https://t.co/YLUgF4SWDz
— Vishnu_Prakash (@being_vishnu) February 14, 2016
India's Under 19 Team Since Rahul Dravid became Coach:WWWWWWWWWWWWWLost in #U19WCFinal . Love You Rahul Dravid.
— Sir Ravindra Jadeja (@SirJadeja) February 14, 2016
No anger, no disappointment, no regrets, but all you can see in Rahul Dravid's eyes is respect for the winning team. Best man. #U19WCFinal
— Gautam (@gautamverma23) February 14, 2016
But seriously what a come back from team India ????Defending 145 & making WI bat till 50th over is amazing ????#U19WCFinal
— कोमल :) (@Komal_Indian) February 14, 2016