New Delhi: Indian colts dished out a clinical performance to beat hosts Sri Lanka by 34 runs and lift the Asian Cricket Council Under-19s Asia Cup title in Colombo on Friday.
After the match, the victorious team got the rare opportunity to pose with their mentor and coach a rather reticent Rahul Dravid.
Dravid, 43, has been hailed the man behind India’s ability to produce future stars. The age-group continental title was just another feather to his hat.
Opting to bat after winning the toss, India Under 19s first posted a competitive 273 for eight in their 50 overs and then rode on its spinners fine bowling effort to bowl out Sri Lanka Under 19 to 239 in 48.4 overs at the R Premadasa Stadium.
The first five batsmen, especially Himanshu Rana (71 off 790 and one-down Shubman Gill (70 off 92), were instrumental in laying the foundation for India’s total, which in the end turned out to be too much for the islanders to overwhelm.
After opener Prithvi Shaw’s (39) dismissal at the team score of 67, Rana and Gill added 88 runs for the second wicket to take India’s innings forward.
Later, skipper Abhishek Sharma (29), middle-order batsman Salman Khan (26) and tailender Kamlesh Nagarkoti (23) too played useful hand to help India’s cause.
Chasing 274 runs for win, Sri Lanka Under 19s lost opener Vishva Chathuranga (13) early before Reven Kelly (62) and Hasitha Boyagoda (37) stabilised their chase with a 78 run second wicket stand.
Skipper Kamindu Mendis (53) also made half-century for the Lankans in the losing cause.
The hosts at one stage were in control of the chase at 196 for four in 37.4 overs before they lost wickets in a heap to lose hold of the match.
The Lankans lost the plot in the last 10 overs as their last six batsmen could contribute just 43 runs.
Skipper Abhishek (4/37) produced a fine display of slow left-arm orthodox bowling and was assisted ably by leg spinner Rahul Chahar, who returned with impressive figures of three for 22 from his quota of 10 overs to dismantle the Lankans.
Bureau Report
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