Dubai: India reaffirmed their dominance in the Under-19 Asia Cup with a record eighth title as they thrashed Sri Lanka by nine wickets in a rain-hit summit clash here on Friday. Indian bowlers were all over Sri Lanka, gasping for 74 for seven in 33 overs when it rained heavily at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium and play stopped for more than two hours.
It became a 38-over-a-side contest when Sri Lanka resumed the game at 106 for nine. India were set a revised target of 102 runs in 38 overs via the DLS method, which they reached comfortably in 21.3 overs, with opener Angkrish Raghuvanshi scoring an unbeaten 56 off 67 balls. India’s only loss in the competition was to arch-rivals Pakistan, who lost to Sri Lanka in the semi-finals.
The tournament provided valuable playing time for the Yash Dhull-led side ahead of the Under-19 World Cup beginning in West Indies on January 14. After cheaply chasing the tournament’s leading scorer Harnoor Singh, Raghuvanshi played wisely with Shaik Rashid (31 not out 49) 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 at the start of the innings. His backfoot game was impressive against the fast bowlers and his legs were sure of pace against the spinners. Raghuvanshi’s innings included six fours. Earlier, Sri Lanka opted to bat, although early morning rain made the conditions ideal for fast bowling first.
The Indian pace duo of Rajvardhan Hangargekar and Ravi Kumar brought the ball into the limelight, though the former was an unlucky one not to take the wicket. Left-arm fast bowler Ravi got the first wicket of the match by dismissing Chamindu Wickremesinghe in the fourth over. The left-handed opener strikes a big blow over mid-wicket but passes it straight into the hands of Raj Bawa over third man.
Wickremesinghe’s opening partner Shevon Daniels tried to pull off Bawa, but the ball went big on him, as wicketkeeper Aaradhya Yadav bowled out Sri Lanka for 15 for two in the 11th over. India seemed to be a far better team. Hangargekar was the most impressive fast bowler in the first 10 overs, producing good pace that got the batsmen hasty, apart from taking the pace off the pitch.
Sri Lanka’s batsmen looked completely seasick against Indian bowlers, be it the fast bowlers or the spin duo of Kaushal Tambe (2/23) and Vicky Ostwal (3/11). Off-spinner Tambe and left-arm spinner Ostwal both gave sharp turns to the odd ball. Ostwal took two wickets in one to put Sri Lanka in trouble at 57 for seven. Southpaw Danit Velagal attempted a sweep sweep to break the chains, but was eventually caught in the deep. Two balls later, Ranuda Somarathne missed an arm ball from Oswal to the back foot, leaving him stuck in front of the stumps. Heavy rain halted the game as India bowled out Sri Lanka for a sub-100 total.
Sri Lanka scored 32 runs for the loss of two wickets in five overs. Hangargekar got a much-deserved wicket with Raghuvanshi taking a diving catch at the square leg boundary to dismiss Mathisha Pathirana on the last ball of the innings.
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