India thrashed hosts Australia by eight wickets to be crowned champions in the Under-19 International Series after a lop-sided final in Darwin on Friday.
Opting to bowl after winning the toss, the Indian bowlers ripped through Australia’s batting and dismissed them for a paltry 75 in 24.4.
They then overhauled the target in 15.3 overs, losing just two wickets in the process.
For India, medium pacer Deepak Hooda claimed three wickets for 22 from his 10 overs while Chama Milind (2/19), Kuldeep Yadav (2/4) and Abhimanyu Lamba (28) shared six wickets between them.
India never looked troubled in their run-chase as they finished the series unbeaten.
The Aussies, who spent the previous night watching one of last year's under-19 representatives, Ashton Agar, bat his way into history in the Ashes series in England, failed to get inspired and were thoroughly outplayed.
India captain Vijay Zol was named the ‘Player of the Series’ following a dominant performance with the bat.
The Australian openers -- Matthew Short (25) and Damien Mortimer (10) -- put up 36 runs on the board, but the remaining batsmen failed, adding just 39 more to the total.
Left-arm seamer Milind triggered Australia’s downfall by getting Short caught by Deepak Hooda at short-midwicket.
Milind struck again, getting Ben McDermott (3) to flick one to square leg.
Hooda then grabbed his three wickets to further destabilize Australia's innings.
The Indian chase was never in any trouble expect for the early loss Akhil Herwadkar (0). But opener Ankush Bains (40) and No 4 Sanju Samson (20) steered the side home with ease.
The only other wicket to fall was that of Zol, who departed after scoring nine.
Photograph: Matt Roberts/Getty Images
