Published: Dec 21, 2015, 05:38 PM (IST)
Edited: Dec 21, 2015, 05:44 PM (IST)
Colombo: Opener Washington Sundar struck a fluent fifty to back up the efforts of his bowlers as India Under-19 team outplayed Sri Lankan Under 19 by five wickets in the tri-series cricket final. Chasing 159 for victory at the R Premadasa Stadium, the Indian juniors rode on a solid 89-run opening stand between Sundar (56) and Rishabh Pant (35) to achieve the target in 33.5 overs. Left-arm spinner Damitha Silva did pick up three wickets to cause a bit of a stutter in the Indian chase but Ricky Bhui (29 not out) made sure the visitors pocket the summit clash with ease and remain unbeaten in the tournament. Live Cricket Score, India U19 vs Sri Lanka U19 2015-16, Final at Colombo
Earlier electing to bat, Sri Lanka suffered from lack of partnerships to manage 158 all out in 47.2 overs. Wicketkeeper-batsman Vishad Randika top-scored with 58 runs, while left-arm pacer Khaleel Ahmed bagged three wickets. Pace spearhead Avesh Khan, medium-pacer Shubham Mavi and left-arm spinner Mayank Dagar picked two wickets each. The third team in the tri-nation event, England U-19 remained win less in the four matches they played.
Prior to the tri -series, India U-19 captain Ricky Bhui said their coach Rahul Dravid was not only helping them with the technicalities of the game, but was also teaching them how to prepare themselves mentally. “We have been keenly following whatever he (Dravid) has been telling us. He is a man with so much knowledge, therefore, it adds a lot to our game. He is helping us prepare both technically and mentally,” Bhui told reporters here. ALSO READ: Rahul Dravid is a man with vision, says India Under-19 fielding coach
Bhui wants to have a good run here in the tournament as it would be a perfect platform for addressing problems and gauging the team’s strength ahead of the World Cup in January next year, “This is an opportunity to prove our talent and skills. We would want to win the tournament and make the country proud. It is also a platform to work hard and settle in before the World Cup.”
Brief Scores:
Sri Lanka Under-19: 158 all out in 47.2 overs (Vishad Randika 58, Damitha Silva 23; Khaleel Ahmed 3-29) lost to India Under-19: 159/5 in 33.5 overs (Washington Sundar 56, Rishabh Pant 35; Damitha Silva 3-18) by 5 wickets.
