JOIN USVirat Kohli had led India under-19 side to title victory in Malaysia in 2008. Four summers after that memorable triumph, another Delhi lad, Unmukt Chand, guided India to the pinnacle with an unbeaten ton in the final against Australia on Sunday.
Kohli recalled his moment of success while congratulating the younger generation. “I would like to congratulate the team for such a great job -- winning the World Cup. Playing together for such a long period of time and doing so well especially in Australia is not easy.
Beating Australia in Australia in a World Cup final has never happened before and hence it is such a great achievement,” Kohli observed.
Himself a class batsman while chasing, Kohli was understandably appreciative of Chand’s effort. “The way they batted while chasing is very encouraging. Unmukt’s knock is one of the best that we have seen recently. All the boys did well. We have been watching the game since the morning and even in the dressing room we were glued to the TV. The entire Indian team enjoyed those moments. I am happy for the youngsters who have done so well,” he remarked.
R Ashwin said he woke up at 5.00 in the morning to catch the action. “We (the Indian team) watched the match together and I woke up at 5 this morning to see the game. I thought we guys batted really well -- Smit Patel and Aparajith.
We have been doing really well throughout the tournament and Unmukt’s innings today was out of the world, it was just brilliant. This victory means much more for the Indian team because it has happened in Australia. We didn’t have a great season there, so I am very pleased that they have put one across Australia now.”