With a dazzling performance, India won the ICC Youth World Cup 2008 at the Kinrara Academy Oval on Sunday night.

Under the leadership of Virat Kohli, India won the junior world cup for the second time. They had last won it in 2000 under the captaincy of Mohammad Kaif.

India had been bowled out for 159 having been asked to bat. But their seam bowlers responded promptly to leave South Africa stuttering at 17-3 in the ninth over. That's when the rain came down. After a prolonged delay, the innings was reduced to 25 overs, the target revised to 116. It meant South Africa needed 99 from 98 balls to win the World Cup.

In a gripping climax, South Africa needed 19 from the last over by seam bowler Siddarth Kaul. Kaul gave away a four off the first ball, but tightened the screws and took India home. India were also the finalists in 2006, where they failed to chase Pakistan's 109 in the final in Colombo.

Earlier, India's innings failed to get going as they lost wickets at regular intervals. The batsmen, who had been in fine form throughout the tournament, chose an inopportune moment to go out of form.

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