• Home
  • Player Stories
  • Indias Forgotten Hero Played Captains Knock To Lead Them To Under 19 World Cup Win On This Day

India's Forgotten Hero Played Captain's Knock To Lead Them To Under-19 World Cup Win On This Day

OTD in 2012, India won u-19 WC beating Australia [X]OTD in 2012, India won u-19 WC beating Australia [X]

On this day in 2012, Unmukt Chand led India to an emphatic under-19 World Cup victory, as the Men in Blue defeated their Australian counterparts in a high-voltage final. The remarkable victory established Chand as one of the youngsters to watch out for at that time. 

The young cricketer from Delhi had a memorable journey, both as a batter and skipper, to ensure India's triumphant campaign in the competition. Batting first, Australia's under-19 team posted a respectable score of 225 runs for the loss of eight wickets. 

Prominent IPL figure Sandeep Sharma emerged as India's wrecker-in-chief with the ball, registering a sensational four-wicket haul in the high-pressure match. 

Skipper William Bosisto slammed a magnificent fifty, guiding his side to a defendable total despite not receiving enough support from the other end. 

In reply, Indian u-19 team had a disastrous start to their innings, losing Prashant Chopra for a seven-ball duck. However, captain Unmukt Chand steadied the ship, forming a crucial second-wicket stand with Baba Aparajith, who contributed valuable 33 runs. 

Although India lost Hanuma Vihari and Vijay Zol in quick succession, Chand played a captain's knock, getting ample support from Smit Patel. 

The duo stitched a scintillating partnership to ensure India's memorable victory, with Chand remaining unbeaten on a flamboyant 130-ball 111*. 

Why Unmukt Chand faded away from national reckoning? 

Once hailed as the next big thing in Indian Cricket, Unmukt Chand's career went downhill soon after the u-19 World Cup win. 

His inconsistency in the domestic circuit and IPL led to his disappearance from the national reckoning, as he eventually sought playing opportunities in T20 leagues around the world.