Date:03/03/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/03/03/stories/2008030371411800.htm

Sport

Indian colts on top of the world

South Africa falls short by 12 runs in rain-affected final

Srivastava top-scored for India with 46
South Africa was left chasing 116 in 25 overs after thunderstorms interrupted play

— PHOTO: AP

A MOMENT TO SAVOUR: The Indian players are a delighted bunch after clinching the under-19 World Cup in Kuala Lumpur on Sunday.

Kuala Lumpur: India regained the Under-19 Cricket World Cup crown after eight years with a close 12-run victory over South Africa in the rain-affected final here on Sunday.

This was India's second triumph in the tournament's history after they captured the crown in 2000 in Sri Lanka. The win also exorcised the memories of the last edition when India went down to Pakistan in a low-scoring final in the same country.

Having been bowled out for 159 after being put in to bat, the Indian bowlers came to the party restricting the Proteas to 103 for eight in 25 overs with the adjusted target being 116.

The win was followed by scenes of great jubiliation as the players and the coaching staff, including coach Dav Whatmore, erupted in joy and were seen embracing and congratulating each other.

Man of the match Ajitesh Argal was the bowler who brought India back in the game taking two early wickets. But after his quota was reduced to five overs due to the rain, Ravinder Jadeja (2-25) and Siddarth Kaul (2-26) played their roles to perfection to keep the South African batsmen in check.

Reeza Hendricks (35) and Wayne Parnell (29) were the main scorers for the Proteas but they never managed to break free from the tight leash in which the Indians kept them.

Earlier, Tanmay Srivastava topscored with 46 as India struggled to a total which did not seem enough to give the South African colts a run for their money. -- PTI

SCOREBOARD

India: T. Kohli c Malan b Parnell 1, S. Goswami c Hendricks b Arnold 6, T. Srivastava c Engelbrecht b Adams 46, V. Kohli c Engelbrecht b Malan 19, S. Tiwary (run out) 20, M. Pandey c Barnes b Arnold 20, R. Jadeja c Vandiar b Vallie 11, I. Abdullah (run out) 9, P. Sangwan c Barnes b Adams 13, S. Kaul (not out) 1, A. Argal c Barnes b Parnell 1; Extras (lb-2, w-10): 12; Total (in 45.4 overs): 159.

Fall of wickets: 1-3, 2-27, 3-74, 4-83, 5-120, 6-122, 7-137, 8-150, 9-158.

South Africa bowling: Parnell 7.4-2-21-2, Arnold 10-0-30-2, Malan 9-1-23-1, Adams 8-0-38-2, Vallie 9-0-33-1, Engelbrecht 2-0-12-0.

South Africa: P. Malan c Goswami b Argal 2, J. Smuts (run out) 5, R. Rossouw c Jadeja b Argal 0, R. Hendricks c Goswami b Jadeja 35, J. Vandiar c Goswami b Jadeja 3, W. Parnell c Pandey b Kaul 29, R. Adams lbw b Abdullah 1, B. Barnes b Kaul 19, M. Arnold (not out) 1; Extras (lb-5, w-3): 8; Total (for eight wkts. in 25 overs): 103.

Fall of wickets: 1-5, 2-6, 3-11, 4-22, 5-72, 6-75, 7-102, 8-103.

India bowling: Sangwan 5-2-14-0, Argal 5-2-7-2, Jadeja 5-0-25-2, Kaul 5-0-26-2, Abdullah 5-0-26-1.

Target: 116 to win in 25 overs in Duckworth/Lewis method