Bowlers, Sundar help India U19’s take Tri-nations title

India U19’s bowling foursome comprising of left and right arm pacies Khaleel Ahmed, Avesh Khan, Shubham Mavi and left-arm spinner Mayank Dagar along with Washington Sundar combined to guide their side to a comfortable five-wicket win over hosts Sri Lanka in the final played at the R. Premadasa Stadium yesterday, to clinch the U19 Tri-nations title.

The Indians, who in the round robin stage won all four of their matches, were the clear cut favourites to lift the title. Chasing an easy target of 159 runs they were given a flying start by openers Washington Sundar and Rishabh Pant who together added 89 runs before being separated with the dismissal of Pant for 35. Sundar was the next to follow after associating in a brief 22-runs stand for the second wicket with Ricky Bhui, having made 56 which was his third half ton of the tournament.

Even though they lost three quick wickets for the addition of 44 runs it was not going to prevent them from winning the game as they reached the target with the minimum of fuss in the 34th over.

Earlier in the day Sri Lanka, whose skipper Charith Asalanka won the toss and elected to take first lease of the wicket, fell into deep trouble as the Indian pacies ran through their batting and had them struggling with five of their top batsmen back in the pavilion with only 46 runs on the board in the 16th over.

Later they recovered through a eighth-wicket partnership of 61 runs between Vishad Randika and Damitha Silva but that was all that they could do as they were bowled out for a score of 158 which proved to be insufficient to defend.

Sri Lanka U19 158 in 47.2 overs (Vishad Randika 58, Damitha Silva 23, Kamindu Mendis 18: Khaleel Ahmed 3 for 29, Avesh Khan 2 for 24, Mayank Dagar 2 for 24, Shubham Mavi 2 for 28)

India U19 159 for 5 in 33.5 overs (Washington Sundar 56, Rishabh Pant 35, Ricky Bhui 29 n.o.: Damitha Silva 3 for 18)

(MSA)