NEW DELHI: It was the year 2004 when Shikhar Dhawan represented India in the Under-19 World Cup tournament. Despite having talented players like Ambati Rayudu, Suresh Raina, Dinesh Karthik, RP Singh, Robin Uthappa, and Dhawan in the team, India fell short of reaching the final in the prestigious tournament. The Boys in Blue lost to arch-rivals Pakistan in the semifinals. Even after 19 years, the memories of that time remain vivid in Dhawan's mind.
In pursuit of their sixth ICC U-19 World Cup title, the Udaya Saharan-led Indian side will clash with Australia in the grand finale on Sunday in Benoni.
Also read: India vs Australia live score
India U-19 had beaten Australia in the 2012 and 2018 finals, and will again start favourites during this edition's title match.
1/10:From Virat Kohli to Ravindra Jadeja: The U-19 World Cup stars who made it big
<p>Read more on TOI Sports</p>AFP
2/10:SUPERSTARS
<p>Over the years, many players who have done well at the U-19 World Cup have graduated to the senior stage with spectacular success. TOI takes a look…<br /></p>Getty Images
3/10:ONE MORE TIME
<p>India’s under-19 cricketers have once again reached the final of the World Cup. This Sunday in Benoni in South Africa, Uday Saharan and Co. will have the opportunity to lift the title one more time. This is the ninth time India’s junior cricketers have reached the final, a record. <br /></p>Agencies
4/10:VIRAT KOHLI
<p>The biggest contribution the U-19 World Cup has had on Indian cricket is the emergence of Virat Kohli. It was in 2008 that Virat led India to their second U-19 WC title in Malaysia, where his team defeated South Africa in the final. <br /></p>AFP
5/10:YUVRAJ SINGH
<p>In the first indication that he was ready for many match-winning exploits at the senior level, Yuvraj Singh helped India to their maiden U-19 World Cup title in 2000. The southpaw was a vital cog in the Mohammad Kaif-led side that defeated Sri Lanka by six wickets in the final in Colombo. <br /></p>Getty Images
6/10:VIRENDER SEHWAG
<p>One of Indian cricket’s batting greats, Sehwag featured in the 1998 edition of the event in South Africa. More than his batting, Sehwag delivered with his off-spin, snaring seven wickets at a stingy economy-rate of 3.36. India didn’t make the final but Sehwag’s all-round skills got a lot of attention.<br /></p>Agencies
7/10:HARBHAJAN SINGH
<p>Off-spinner Harbhajan also impressed in the 1998 edition, picking up eight wickets at an average of 21.12 and an economy rate of 3.44. Harbhajan had telling contributions in all five Indian victories. Soon after, Harbhajan made his Test debut for India against Australia in Bangalore.<br /></p>AFP
8/10:ROHIT SHARMA
<p>Batting at No. 3, India’s current captain hit three half-centuries in six innings at the 2006 U-19 World Cup in Sri Lanka. He tallied 205 runs at an average of 41. India managed to reach the final but lost to Pakistan by 38 runs. He also shone with his off-spin, picking up four wickets.<br /></p>Getty Images
9/10:'ROCKSTAR' JADEJA
<p>The ‘Rockstar’ allrounder was involved in two U-19 World Cups –in 2006, in which India lost in the final, and the other in 2008, when India won under Kohli’s leadership. <br /></p>Agencies
10/10:CHETESHWAR PUJARA
<p>Very few would believe Cheteshwar Pujara once scored runs at a faster clip than Rohit Sharma. This happened in the 2006 U-19 World Cup when Pujara, opening the batting, notched up 349 runs in six innings at a strikerate of 82.11. <br /></p>AgenciesDhawan, a member of India's 2004 U-19 World Cup campaign, took to social media and wrote a special message for the India colts ahead of the title clash between India and Australia.
"A trip down memory lane as India and Australia compete for U-19 supremacy. Sending my support to the U-19 Team India and wishing all the best for the Finals #TeamIndia #CheeringforWin," Dhawan wrote.
The U-19 World Cup has presented stars like Virat Kohli, Yuvraj Singh, Mohammed Kaif, Suresh Raina, Shikhar Dhawan, Rohit Sharma, Kohli, Ravindra Jadeja, KL Rahul, Rishabh Pant, Shubman Gill and Yashasvi Jaiswal to name a few, who have risen through the ranks.
