India reaffirmed their supremacy in the U-19 Asia Cup with a record eighth title as they hammered Sri Lanka by nine wickets in a rain-hit summit clash here on Friday.
The India bowlers were all over Sri Lanka, who were gasping at 74/7 in 33 overs, when heavy rain lashed the Dubai International Cricket Stadium and stopped play for more than two hours. It became a 38-over-a-side contest when play resumed with Sri Lanka limping to 106 for nine.
India were set a revised 102-run target in 38 overs via DLS method which they reached rather comfortably in 21.3 overs with opener Angkrish Raghuvanshi scoring an unbeaten 56 off 67 balls.
India’s only loss in the competition came against arch-rivals Pakistan who lost to Sri Lanka in the semi-finals.
BCCI president and former India captain Sourav Ganguly tweeted after the win: “Congratulations to the under 19 team for winning the Asia Cup ..No cricket for 15 months since2020 for covid and to win is a commendable effort ..well dne to plyrs ,coaches , new slctrs who hd vry ltle time to pick the best players ..NCA deserves a lot of credit @BCCI.”
VVS Laxman, the NCA director, also wrote on Twitter: “Congrats to the India U-19 side on the #AsiaCupU19 triumph! Their preparations were hit by the weather, among other things, but it’s heartening to see them improve by the game. That’s as satisfying as the title win itself. Ideal confidence-booster for the World Cup.
The U-19 Asia Cup provided valuable game time for the Yash Dhull-led side ahead of the World Cup, beginning in the West Indies from January 14. After the tournament’s leading scorer Harnoor Singh departed cheaply in the chase, Raghuvanshi played sensibly alongside Shaik Rasheed (31 not out) to get the job done.
The opener, who could not make an impact in the earlier games, grew in confidence after playing a backfoot punch early in the innings. His backfoot play was impressive against the pacers and his feet movement against the spinners was assured. Raghuvanshi’s innings comprised six boundaries.
Earlier, Sri Lanka opted to bat though early morning showers made conditions ideal for seam bowling first up. The Indian pace duo of Rajvardhan Hangargekar and Ravi Kumar made the ball talk though the former was a tad unlucky to not get a wicket.
Left-arm pacer Ravi got the first wicket of the match by removing Chamindu Wickramasinghe in the fourth over. The left-handed opener went for a big hit over mid wicket but ended up mistiming it straight into the hands of Raj Bawa at third man.
Wickramasinghe’s opening partner Shevon Daniel tried to pull Bawa but the ball got big on him, taking a faint edge to keeper Aaradhya Yadav to leave Sri Lanka at 15 for two in the 11th over.
India looked a far superior team. Hangargekar was the most impressive pacer in the first 10 overs, generating good pace that hurried the batters besides extracting movement off the pitch. The Sri Lanka batters looked completely at sea against the Indian bowlers, be it the fast bowlers or the spin pairing of Kaushal Tambe (2/23) and Vicky Ostwal (3/11).
Brief scores: Sri Lanka U-19 106/9 in 38 overs (V.Ostwal 3/11, K. Tambe 2/23) India U-19 104/1 in 21.3 overs (A. Raghuvanshi 56 n.o., S. Rasheed 31 n.o.) India U19 won by 9 wickets (D/L method).
