The 2012 Under-19 World Cup saw India winning the trophy for the third time with Unmukt Chand hitting a century but the entire batch that year could consider themselves very unlucky for a variety of reasons.
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Recently, news emerged that Unmukt Chand had ended his career in India to move to the USA for better cricket opportunities. The news highlighted the tragedy in Unmukt Chand’s life. Nine years earlier, on August 26, he was the captain who had led India to a glorious Under-19 World Cup triumph in Australia. The reception that he got at home led many to believe he was a future star. He even featured in a Pepsi ad that featured the likes of MS Dhoni and Virat Kohli.
But, nine years later in 2021, Unmkut Chand did not even come close to playing for India. In fact, in that entire batch of 2012, many did not even make it to the fringes of IPL and India selection. Sandeep Sharma was one of the bowlers who had success in IPL and featured in some games for India. Hanuma Vihari was the only player who had a big impact for India, going on to play Tests.
If one looks at the 2012 batch, they did not produce many superstars as compared to 2008, 2010, 2014 and even 2016 for that matter. But, the triumph was glorious in many ways when you looked at it.
India started their campaign on a poor note as they lost to the West Indies in the opening game. Kraigg Brathwaite, Kyla Mayers, Akeal Hosein, and Sunil Ambris, all future West Indies stars featured in the game as India lost by four wickets. But, India bounced back in style with big wins over Zimbabwe and Papua New Guinea. However, the quarterfinal clash against Pakistan proved to be the making of a champion team.
Sandeep Sharma took three wickets in a blistering opening spell. He was ably supported by Ravikant Singh who also took three wickets. But, Babar Azam hit a fifty but Pakistan managed only 136. India did not have it easy as they were reduced to 8/3. Baba Aparajith hit a fifty and shared a partnership of 66 with Vijay Zol. But, India suffered yet another collapse towards the end. Azizullah, Ehsan Adil, and Zia-ul-Haq all made life difficult for India. With just two runs needed, Harmeet Singh scored the winning runs as India entered the semifinal.
In the last four, India squared off against New Zealand. Prashant Chopra hit a fifty and he was once again ably supported by Baba Aparajith, Unmukt Chand, and Vijay Zol. India collapsed again as India reached 209/9. With the ball, Sandeep, Ravikant, and Harmeet took two wickets apiece. India won by nine runs to reach the final.
The final against Australia was going to be a close one. There was not much hype around the 2012 Under-19 World Cup final as both teams were in the small town of Townsville. Before the final, Unmukt Chand told his entire team, “Let us conquer this moment and play without fear.” India chose to bowl and they immediately made inroads. Cameron Bancroft and Jimmy Peirson fell cheaply while Australia was further jolted with the wickets of Meyrick Buchanan and Kurtis Patterson.
Australia skipper William Bosisto started the revival for the home side. He shared a partnership of 65 with Travis Head but it was hit a stand of 93 with Ashton Turner that put Australia on course for a good score. Bosisto ended unbeaten on 87 as he continued his fine form. But, Sandeep took 4/54 as Australia ended on 225/8.
India started poorly, losing Prashant Chopra for 0. But, Unmukt Chand shared a stand of 75 with Baba Aparajith. Australia fought back with three quick wickets as India was in trouble at 97/4. But, it was then that Chand and Smit Patel took the onus to guide India to the title. Chand was in brilliant form as he smashed fours and sixes at will after settling in. The Delhi right-hander hit seven fours and six sixes. Patel hit 62 as the 130-run stand helped India win the 2012 Under-19 World Cup title by six wickets.
Immediately after the end of the match, the crowd that had swelled in Townsville gave the Indian team a grand reception. In the words of Chand himself, he said they were treated as supermen. When India were heading back home from Sydney, the team was treated in grand style.
Chand would go on to author a book titled The Sky is the Limit: My Journey to the World Cup. He also went to give speeches after the end of the World Cup. But, that was the peak of Chand’s popularity. He did not have success in the IPL and he did not even come close to selection in the Indian team. When he was left out of his state side Delhi, it represented the lowest point for Chand.
The entire batch of 2012, barring the likes of Sandeep and Vihari, did not even come close to IPL or India selection. It was a shame that the team of 2012 did not have as big an impact on Indian cricket as the other Under-19 teams.
