Manjot Kalra – India’s Man of the Moment – hit a scintillating century in the ICC U-19 World Cup Final, to see his team win the World Cup title, for the fourth time. The dashing top-order batsman was unbeaten on 101 runs as India thumped Australia in the U-19 World Cup 2018 Final. Kalra was announced as the Man of the Match too, for his match-winning performance. As the tournament ended, the right-hand batsman was the third highest Indian run-scorer in the tournament for India scoring (252 runs), after Shubham Gill (372 runs) and Prithvi Shaw (261 runs) respectively.

In a run chase of a total – 217 runs – that looked sub-par in the playing conditions at Bay Oval, Tauranga (New Zealand); Manjot Kalra seemed in no hurry and played a composed knock of 101 runs. The lower-totals are more often than not tricky to chase, and add to it, the pressure of a World Cup final; it wasn’t an easy total for Team India to begin with. After stellar performances from Indian bowlers – Kamlesh Nagarkoti, Shivam Mavi, Anukul Roy, Shiva Singh, and Ishan Porel – the onus was on the Indian batsman to play their A-game and ensure that they emerge as World Cup title winner, for the record fourth time.

Photo Credits: Twitter @cricketworldcup

Photo Credits: Twitter @cricketworldcupManjot Kalra opened the innings with Skipper Prithvi Shaw and India rode smoothly on the duo’s calm and composed partnership. There was an interim break in their innings with rain playing spoilsport when the scoreboard read 23 runs for no loss of a wicket. However, the break wasn’t long, and the Indian batsmen returned to resume their innings where they left. Rather, Shaw and Kalra built a strong partnership and came back stronger with an aggressive attitude. Responding to Australia’s sledging with the bat, the duo took India to 71 runs in only 11 overs. There were a couple of edges that flew past the slip cordon, without much ado. Kalra happily played second fiddle when Shaw was batting aggressively.

Photo Credits: Twitter @cricketworldcup

Shaw fell cheaply when he was clean bowled by fast-bowler Will Sutherland, on 29 runs. Kalra didn’t lose his temperament. With another 100+ runs needed to win the Final, Kalra joined forced with Shubham Gill for another partnership. The duo added another crucial 60 runs on the board together, reducing India’s target by a sizeable chunk. The Player of the Tournament, Shubham Gill, didn’t contribute much as he was sent back to the hut for only 31 runs. However, they both ensured that the required run-rate didn’t climb up.

A lot of chatter took place before the tournament’s final, with India’s untested middle-order being at the centre of it. Wicket-keeper batsman, Harvik Desai, came out next and along with Kalra stitched a partnership that saw India home. Desai remained unbeaten on 47 runs, in which he hit 5 Fours. Kalra, on the other hand, was unbeaten on 101 runs. In his match-winning knock, he hit 8 Fours and 3 towering Sixes.

Photo Credits: Twitter @cricketworldcup

After winning the Man of the Match award, Manjot Kalra said, “It’s a great feeling. I have enjoyed a lot. The conditions here were very good and the wicket was a flat one to bat on. In the team, it has been a great environment.” His run-a-ball knock will be cherished for a long time; for now, the fact that India has won the tournament, head coach Rahul Dravid would be a happy man today. Let the celebrations begin! Stay tuned for all the latest updates about Manjot Kalra and ICC U-19 World Cup tournament here.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Feb 03, 2018 05:22 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).