Picture Courtesy Indian Express
An elated India U-19 head coach , the former Indian skipper and batting legend Rahul Dravid hopes that his World Cup winning wards will have many such lasting memories in the future, adding that the support staff had helped him make the title triumph possible.
“I am really proud of the boys and the effort they put in. “Proud of the effort they put in and couldn’t be happier for them. Hopefully it’s a memory they cherish for a long, long time, but hopefully not the lasting memory and they have many more great moments and bigger things in future,” the batting legend said after India outclassed Australia to win their fourth U-19 World Cup.
“I don’t want to mention names, but everyone in the support staff has put in a great effort. We do the best for the kids,” Dravid added as the boys in blue celebrated loudly behind him.
It may be recalled, Electing to bat first, Australia were dismissed for 216 runs in 47.2 overs. Ishan Porel, Shiva Singh and Anukul Roy picked up two wickets each for India.
Opener Manjot Kalra then spearheaded the Indian run chase with an unbeaten century as the Boys in Blue romped to victory with 67 balls to spare.
Kalra remained unbeaten on 101 runs off 102 deliveries while Harvik Desai was not out on 47 at the other end.
“All credit to our support staff, they’ve really been supporting us for the last two years. And full credit to the guys as well. Rahul sir is a legend,” India skipper Prithvi Shaw said at the presentation ceremony.
“It was the final, a very crucial hundred from Manjot. Gill was batting really well. And the two pacers, Mavi and Kamlesh, who’ve been excellent throughout the tournament. Thanks for all the support from India. Great memories here. We’re looking forward to going back,” he added.
Player of tournament Shubman Gill, who amassed 372 runs in six matches, including a hundred in the semi-final against Pakistan, said coach Dravid always told him to play along the ground and that worked.
He is also hoping to do well in the Indian Premier League where he will play for Kolkata Knight Riders who bought him for Rs 1.8 crore.
“I’m really proud of my team. We were fortunate enough to have Rahul as coach,” Gill said.
“He was always telling me to express myself and play along the ground as much as possible. It was a good experience for all of us. It’s been pretty exciting. I hope I’ll do well in the IPL as well.”
Meanwhile , The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) had announced a cash reward of Rs50 lakh for the U-19 chief coach Rahul Dravid while the World Cup winning squad members will receive Rs30 lakh each.
The other members of the support staff including fielding coach Abhya Sharma and bowling coach Paras Mhambrey will be richer by Rs20 lakh. In a marked departure from the usual norm where the players, who have done it on the field get greater share of the prize money, the BCCI has decided that the chief coach should get the biggest share.
“India is known for its guru shishya parampara and the Guru always gets more. Obviously, the stature of the coach matters a lot,” a senior office-bearer, who was a part of the policy decision told PTI on Saturday. However, it must be noted that neither Dav Whatmore (2008 India coach) nor Bharath Arun (2012 coach) got more than the Virat Kohli or Unmukt Chand-led team.
Congratulating the team for beating Australia in the final BCCI committee of administrators (COA) chief Vinod Rai said: “I congratulate the U19 team who have made the country proud. Head Coach Rahul Dravid played his cricket with sincerity and it was pleasing to see the boys uphold the value.”
BCCI acting president C.K. Khanna said: “The boys have shown tremendous maturity in the manner they dominated the proceedings from the first match. They always looked like champions. My heartiest congratulations to the boys and Rahul, who has been like a pillar for this team.”
hanna said he will recommend that the U-19 selection committee chaired by Venkatesh Prasad also gets financial reward just like the senior men’s and women’s panel that went home richer despite their respective teams losing World Cup finals.
BCCI acting secretary Amitabh Choudhary said: “It is a proud day for everyone associated with the BCCI and Indian cricket. India are the only team to have qualified for the final of the last three ICC events.”
BCCI CEO Rahul Johri said: “Winning the World Cup without losing a solitary game is a fantastic achievement and I congratulate everyone for this dominant show. In Rahul Dravid, we have a fantastic coach who is moulding the youngsters and also fine-tuning the boys at the India A level before they progress to the senior side”.
