India beats Australia to win U-19 World Cup for fourth time

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NORTH ISLAND: Opening batsman Manjot Kalra scored an unbeaten 101 and India won the Under-19 Cricket World Cup for the fourth time with an eight-wicket victory Saturday over Australia.

Australia, choosing to bat after winning the toss, was all out for 216 in 47.2 overs at Bay Oval, Tauranga.

Jonathan Merlo top-scored for Australia with 76 while four Indian bowlers took two wickets each.

India, which lost 2014 final to the West Indies, cruised in reply to 220-2 and never looked threatened in surpassing Australia’s total in the 39th over. Lefthander Kalra’s 101 came from 102 balls.

India beat Australia by 100 runs in the tournament opener and was undefeated the rest of the way.

It was India’s sixth appearance in the under-19 final. Australia had made the final five times, winning the tournament three times.