India has done exceptionally well in the events, winning the 2000 and 2008 editions besides reaching the final in 2006.
India captain Unmukt Chand said his side was fully prepared for the event.
Though West Indies captain Kraigg Brathwaite picked Australia as his favorite, he believed his side was equally capable of winning the tournament.
Also on the opening day of the event, which will run till August 26, two-time former champions Pakistan will take on neighbors Afghanistan at John Blanck Oval on the Sunshine Coast, while Asian rivals Bangladesh and Sri Lanka will lock horns at Endeavour Park 1 in Townsville. Zimbabwe will meet Papua New Guinea (PNG) at Allan Border Field in Brisbane.
The 16 sides, including 10 full members and six qualifiers (Afghanistan, Ireland, Namibia, Nepal, Papua New Guinea and Scotland), have been equally divided into four groups, with the two top sides from each group to qualify for the Super League stage, and the bottom two sides from each group to compete in the Plate Championship.
The Plate final will be staged on August 24 in Brisbane, while the Super League final will be held at Tony Ireland Stadium on August 26.
Australia is the most successful team in the history of the ICC U19 Cricket World Cup, having won titles in 1988 (Australia), 2002 and 2010 (both in New Zealand). In addition to this, it twice appeared in the semi-finals (2000 and 2006) while in 2008 in Malaysia, it played in the quarter-final.
With the event once again returning to familiar territories, Australia will start off as firm favorite to win the title for the fourth time, which will also make it the second team after Pakistan to win back-to-back titles.
Pakistan achieved the feat in 2004 and 2006.
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