India retain Asian Under 19 cricket title

Defending Asian Under 19 cricket champions India retained the Asian Cricket Council Trophy when they beat Sri Lanka by 34 runs in the finals played at the R.Premadasa Stadium under lights yesterday.

In reply to India’s 273 for 8 Sri Lanka were all out for 239 runs in 48.4 overs. The Sri Lankan youth were well on course for victory at many stages of the match but lost their way after losing wickets at regular intervals. Opener Raven Kelly top scored with 62 facing 101 deliveries with five fours and a six and skipper Kamindu Mendis also batted well to score 53 facing 57 deliveries with four boundaries.

Abhishek Sharma took 4 for 37 and Rahul Chahar was the second best taking 3 for 22 which included a spectacular catch off his own bowling to dismiss Arachchige which probably changed the course of the game.

India Under 19 top order flourished for a while with two half centuries by Shubman Gill (70) who faced 92 deliveries and struck four fours and and another 71 byHimanshi Rana who faced 79 balls and hit six fours and a six with useful contributions coming from the bats of Abhishek Sharma and Salman Khan to take India towards a challenging score of 273 for 8 in their 50 overs.

India would have been aiming towards the 300 run mark but from 224 for 4 in the 44th over they lost one of their prolific scorers Shubman Gill for 70 and India were pulled back a bit.

They lost a couple of quick wickets in the quest of looking for quick runs . But opening bowler Kamlesh Nagarkoti gave the Indian tail a good twist with a well hit 23 to see India reaching their final total of 273 in the 50 overs. Nipun Rashmika was the most successful bowler taking three wickets while Praveen Jayawardene was the pick of the spinners with three wickets.