Below-19 Asia Cup: Suryavanshi powers India to closing, set to face Bangladesh

Vaibhav Suryanshi. File
| Picture Credit score: AP

Vaibhav Suryavanshi was the star of the present once more with a second successive half-century as India stormed into the U-19 Asia Cup ODI closing with a complete seven-wicket victory over Sri Lanka in Sharjah on Friday (December 6, 2024).

The 13-year-old, who grew to become the youngest cricketer ever to be purchased at an IPL public sale final month, smashed 5 sixes and 6 fours for his 36-ball 67 as India chased down a goal of 174 with as many as 170 balls to spare.

India will face Bangladesh within the closing on the Dubai Worldwide Cricket Stadium on Sunday.

Bangladesh defeated Pakistan by seven wickets, finishing a modest chase of 117 in 22.1 overs within the first semi-final in Dubai.

Opting to bat, Sri Lanka may solely handle 173 in 46.2 overs regardless of a valiant effort from Lakvin Abeysinghe (69 off 110) and Sharujan Shanmuganathan (42 off 78).

Their innings struggled to achieve momentum as Indian bowlers have been in full management with Chetan Sharma (3/34), Kiran Chormale (2/32), and Ayush Mhatre (2/37) wreaking havoc within the center overs.

India’s chase was constructed on a stable basis laid by Ayush Mhatre (34 off 28) as he placed on a stand of 91 with Suryavanshi for the opening wicket.

The younger left-hander from Bihar troubled the Sri Lankan bowlers from the start as he began with consecutive sixes and a boundary off Sigera, who ended up gifting away 31 runs in his opening over.

Mhatre too performed his strokes on the different finish because the duo raced to 87 for no loss in eight overs earlier than Vihas Thewmika gave Sri Lanka their first breakthrough by eradicating the batter.

However Suryavanshi confirmed exceptional maturity as he saved the run-rate ticking regardless of shedding his opening accomplice, forging one other essential affiliation with C Andre Siddharth (22).

Skipper Mohamed Amaan (25 not out) and KP Karthikeya (11 not out) then accomplished the chase.

Transient Scores

Sri Lanka 173; 46.2 overs (Lakvin Abeysinghe 69, Sharujan Shanmuganathan 42; Chetan Sharma 3/34, Kiran Chormale 2/32, Ayush Mhatre 2/37) misplaced to India 175/3; 21.4 overs (Vaibhav Suryavanshi 67, Mhatre 34, Mohamed Amaan 25 not out) by seven wickets.