U-19 World Cup: Tendulkar, Dhoni, Kohli proud of Unmukt Chand's Team India

August 27, 2012
tendulkarThe Indian cricket team had reason to celebrate after a resounding innings win against New Zealand in the first Test at Hyderabad, but they didn't forget the feats of the India Under-19 side that had lifted the World Cup a few hours before the senior side wrapped up victory against New Zealand.

MS Dhoni started his post-match speech with a congratulatory message for the Unmukt Chand-led side, while Virat Kohli and R Ashwin were also effusive in their praise. Chand, who hit 111 not out in India's chase, came in for particular praise by both of them.

Kohli, who was the captain of the 2008 India Under-19 side that also won the World Cup, lauded the team for winning against Australia in Australia.


"I would like to congratulate the Under-19 team on doing such a great job by winning the World Cup," said Kohli. "Coming together for so long a period of time and doing so well, especially in Australia, is not easy. Beating Australia in Australia in a World Cup final has never happened before, and hence it is such a great achievement.

"Especially the way they batted while chasing is very encouraging. Unmukt's (Chand) knock is one of the best that we have seen in recent times. All the boys did well."

Kohli revealed that the senior side had followed as much of the final as they could, helped by the rain delay that affected the start of the day's play in the Test match.

"We have been watching the game since the morning and even in the dressing room, we were glued to the television when the match here was delayed due to rain. The entire Indian team enjoyed those moments," said Kohli. "I am happy for the youngsters who have done so well. Just enjoy the moment and take it as it comes. But most importantly, don't let go of all the hard work that you have put in. This win will surely give you a lot of confidence and set you up for greater things in life."


R Ashwin, who was the man of the match for his haul of 12 for 85, said he had been up since 5 am to catch the game.

"We watched the match together, we wanted India to win," said Ashwin. "I woke up at 5 this morning to see what the game was all about. I thought we guys batted really well - Smit Patel, (Baba) Aparajith has been doing really well through the tournament and Unmukt's innings today was out of the world, it was just brilliant. This victory means much more for the Indian team because it has happened in Australia. We didn't have a great season there some time back, so I am very pleased that they have put one across Australia now."

Sachin Tendulkar, who made his international debut before any of the Under-19 side players were born, was also pleased with the win. "We were watching and following what was going on in the final in our dressing room," said Tendulkar. "I would like to congratulate the team and tell them that you guys made us proud by raising that beautiful trophy."

There was recognition of the team's efforts from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) too, with N Srinivasan, the president, saying each member of the team would be awarded Rs. 20 lakh, with Rs.15 lakh for each member of the support staff.

"Many congratulations to the Indian team for the winning the ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup," said Srinivasan in a statement. "We won the 'senior' World Cup last year, and now our boys have triumphed in the junior version of the tournament. This is a great day for Indian cricket. The Board would like to announce a cash prize of Rs. 20 lakhs to each player, and Rs. 15 lakhs to each member of the support staff."

Sanjay Jagdale, the BCCI Secretary, said the team had worked hard and deserved the title in his message of congratulations.

"The Indian cricket team has played some extraordinary cricket in the ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup. The members of the team have worked hard, and deserve the title. Heartiest congratulations to the boys and support staff for winning the World Cup."



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News Network
March 2,2020

Christchurch, Mar 2: India captain Virat Kohli on Monday said the under-fire Rishabh Pant has got a "lot of chances" but the team is not looking to try someone else in the youngster's place just yet as one player can't be singled out in a collective failure.

Pant has been under the scanner for the past one year because of his inconsistent run. His tally of 60 runs across four innings in the 0-2 Test series loss to New Zealand, which concluded here on Monday, has only amplified the debate whether it was prudent to leave out a keeper of Wriddhiman Saha's calibre and back Pant.

"...we have given him (Pant) a lot of chances in the home season as well starting from Australia. Then he was not playing for a bit. In turn he really worked hard on himself," Kohli came to Pant's defence after the series here.

"You need to figure out when is the right time to give someone else a chance. If you push people too early, they can lose confidence," he added.

"...collectively, we didn't perform. I don't believe in singling him out. We take the hit together as a group whether it's the batting group or as a team."

When asked if he believes Pant has taken his place in the side for granted, Kohli made it clear that the culture of this team doesn't encourage anyone to think along those lines.

"I don't see anyone taking his place for granted in this team. That's the culture we have set. People are told to take responsibilities and work hard. Whether it happens or not is a different thing. Then you can have a conversation with the players," he said.

"But no one has come here thinking I am going to play every game or I am indispensable," he added in no uncertain terms.

Kohli, just like head coach Ravi Shastri, made it clear that Pant can make a difference in overseas conditions and he won't like to deviate during future tours.

"The time that he didn't play, he really worked hard on his game. So we thought this is the right time because of his game and the way he plays because he can make a difference lower down the order.

"That was our planning behind it. We can't really fluctuate when it comes to what we planned," he added.

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News Network
May 9,2020

May 9: Indian cricket icon Sachin Tendulkar has donated an undisclosed amount to financially help 4,000 underprivileged people, including children from Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) schools, amid the Covid-19 pandemic.

Tendulkar made the donation to the Hi5 Foundation, a non-profit organisation based out of Mumbai.

“Best wishes to team Hi5 for your efforts in supporting families of daily wage earners,” Tendulkar tweeted.

The organisation, through a tweet, thanked Tendulkar for doing his bit for the needy.

“Thanks @sachin_rt for proving once again that #sports encourages compassion! Your generous donation towards our #COVID19 fund enables us to financially aid 4000 underprivileged people, including children from @mybmc schools. Our budding sportspersons thank you, Little Master!”

The legendary batsman had earlier contributed Rs 25 lakh each to Prime Minister’s Relief Fund and Chief Minister’s Relief Fund for the country’s fight against COVID-19. Tendulkar had earlier pledged to bear the cost of feeding 5,000 people for a month in a couple of areas in Mumbai.

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News Network
July 25,2020

New Delhi, Jul 25: Former India spinner Anil Kumble said that he has never understood why people compared him with Australia's Shane Warne.

Kumble was doing an Instagram live session with former Zimbabwe pacer Pommie Mbangwa and it was then that the spinner also talked about being the third-highest wicket-taker in Test cricket.

"It feels really wonderful to finish with these many wickets. I never bothered about statistics or what my average should be, I wanted to bowl the whole day and be the one to take wickets. To finish as the third-highest wicket-taker in Tests alongside Murali and Warne is very special. All three of us played in the same era, there were a lot of comparisons, I do not know why people compared me with Warne. Warne was someone really different and he was on a different plane," Kumble told Mbangwa during the interaction.
"These two guys could spin the ball on any surface so it became really difficult for me when they started comparing me with Warne and Murali. I learnt a lot by watching them both bowl," he added.

The Indian spinner announced his retirement from international cricket in 2008. He finished with 619 wickets in the longest format of the game.

He has the third-highest number of wickets in Tests, only behind Sri Lanka's Muttiah Muralitharan (800) and Australia's Shane Warne (708).

Kumble is the second bowler in the history of international cricket after England's Jim Laker to take all ten wickets in an innings of a Test match.

He had achieved the feat against Pakistan in 1999 at the Feroz Shah Kotla Stadium in Delhi. Kumble had bowling figures of 10-74 from 26.3 overs in the second innings of the Test match.
Kumble will be coaching Kings XI Punjab in the Indian Premier League (IPL). 

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