Right, so India brings home the U-19 World Cup Trophy. They have been invincible all throughout the tournament and their performance on the night of the final was a testament to how dominant a side they have been. Boys in Blue lifted the title for the 4^th time, most by any team, in their record appearance in the final. Speaks volumes about the kind of work done right from the grass-root level. Harsha Bhogle, the voice of Indian cricket, rightly points out how BCCI invests heavily in making sure that talent meets opportunities at the junior level. How well it has translated into winning at the world stage is an indicator of the amount of work done by them, the authorities, in setting up the right environment for them, the players, to blossom.

All said and done, it was the hard work and commitment of the young Indian brigade that bore the fruits last night. We went into the tournament with possibly one prospective future star, Prithvi Shaw. He was making headlines, whenever and wherever he played. By the end of the tournament, we were looking at a minimum of 5-6 players who looked ready to play at the highest level. The likes of the Gills, the Kalras, the Nagarkotis, all announced their arrival and showcased their abilities in front of the whole world and how. India had a good all-round balance to the side. We had explosive openers right at the top, followed by Gill at no.3, who I believe has been the find of the tournament and will make it to the senior division sooner than later, well supported by the wicketkeeper in the middle order. More often than naught, it was the bowling department which set it up for us or brought us back in the game. Kamlesh, Shivam, and Ishan put up an exquisite exhibition of fast bowling and that really got Ian Bishop pretty excited. It was not just fast bowling which caught everyone’s attention, it was the discipline with which these young pacers were hitting the right line and length which troubled the batsmen. Anukul Roy also deserves a special mention, returning as the joint highest wicket taker of the tournament.

One cannot rule out Dravid’s, or even the support staff’s contribution for that matter in India’s World Cup triumph. They have been with the boys from the start, grooming them, nurturing them, and most of all, making them believe in themselves that they are worthy of becoming world champions because oftentimes, nerves get the better of people, and they are still under 19s mind you, on big occasions. And it was very important for someone like a Dravid to be with this young group because he embodies everything we attach goodness to. He was probably the last one to play the sport, the Gentlemen’s game as it is called, with the spirit it echoed.

This has been a fantastic achievement by the boys, winning the U-19 World Cup, but they must remember, it is just the beginning. They have a long way to go and if this tournament is anything to go by, the future of Indian cricket looks to be in safe hands. It is a wonderful stepping stone for many and they would be full of confidence going ahead having defeated the best of the teams to become world champions. It must be overwhelming for most of them to create history and be at the forefront. However, it’s only a matter of time before we see some of them playing for India at the highest level. For now, we must let them have their moment. It must take a lot to soak it in, to let it sink in before they bask in the glory that comes with this win and enjoy the richly deserved success.