The stage is set for the 14th edition of the Under-19 World Cup as 12 teams gather to make their mark in the Caribbean islands. Friday (January 14) will see hosts West Indies take on Australia in the opening encounter at Providence Park in Guyana. Yash Dhull-led India will be eyeing a fifth title while underdogs Bangladesh will try to defend their title.
The Indian U-19 team over the years has produced stars like Virat Kohli, Yuvraj Singh, Ravindra Jadeja and many others. The expectations are same from Team India this time around as well to stamp their authority in the competition. Before the mega tournament kicks off, here is a look at how Team India has fared in the junior competition over the years.
Champions: 2000, 2008, 2012, 2018
A team led by Mohammed Kaif consisted of India's legendary all-rounder Yuvraj Singh as Team India lifted their maiden U-19 title in Sri Lanka. India remained unbeaten throughout the tournament. Yuvraj and Kaif went on to be part of the senior team, famously winning the NatWest final in 2002 and playing in the World Cup final of 2003. Yuvraj would go on to add win inaugural T20 World Cup 2007 followed by World Cup 2011 where he was named Man of the series.
The tournament in 2008 was not in limelight until the final when the senior team was in Australia and winning the CB series. A future star, Virat Kohli rose to the occasion at the same time in Malaysia as he led India to their second title win by beating South Africa in the final in Kuala Lumpur. Kohli would go on to win the 2011 World Cup and never look back as he was made the captain of India's senior side across formats.
A team less renowned for producing future stars, players like Hanuma Vihari, Baba Aparajith went onto become big names in domestic circuit but didn't cement a place in the senior side. Unmukt Chand, captain of the side in 2012 scored a hundred in the final of the World Cup and steered India to its third title against Australia. Unfortunately, he never got going in the Indian conditions and went on to play overseas and is now eligible for the USA national team.
After defeat in 2016 final, the Indian team was well on track to secure its fourth title under the stewardship of Rahul Dravid in 2018. Credited to raise stars like Rishabh Pant, Washington Sundar, the former India captain was instrumental in helping the team win the U-19 title against Australia in the final. The team included the likes of Prithvi Shaw and Shubman Gill who later went on to be part of the senior roster.
Runners-up: 2006, 2016, 2020
The 2006 edition was the first time that the two traditional rivals had met in a World Cup final. Asked to chase 110, the Indian batting had a horrible collapse. Anwar Ali's 35/5 made the difference as India were bowled out for 71 in just 18.5 overs.
The Indian team was no match to the West Indies side in 2016. India were beaten comprehensively in the final while chasing 146. The likes of Rishabh Pant and Ishan Kishan might have failed to win the title but they still went on to be one of the brightest talents in the show.
The 2020 final was the record seventh time India had reached the final, but things didn't go according to plan as Team India was reduced to just 177 by the Bangladesh bowling lineup as the Tigers went on to win their maiden title. The Indian team, still young consisted of the likes of Yashasvi Jaiswal and Priyam Garg, tipped to be the future stars.
Semi-final: 2002, 2004
Fifth place: 2014, 1998
