Under 19- Asia Cup: India thumps Sri Lanka in finals, defends title

Colombo: The Indian Under-19 Cricket team, under the leadership of Abhishek Sharma, on Thursday defeated Sri Lanka by 34 runs here at R Premadasa Stadium to clinch the ACC Under-19 Asia Cup title for the third time in a row.

Winning the toss, India decided to bat first and posted a healthy total of 273 runs on the scoreboard. The foundation of a competitive total was laid by batsmen Himanshu Rana (71) and Shubham Gill (70).

Chasing India’s total, Lankans lost early wicket in the form of opener Vishva Chathuranga (13). Later, Reven Kelly (62) and Hasitha Boyagoda (37) stitched 78-run partnership for the side.

Skipper Kamindu Mendis (53) also hit half-century but failed to save his brigade from defeat.

Sri Lanka was looking in a comfort zone when it was 196/4 in 37.4 overs. But, Indian bowling made them surrender at 239 runs.

Skipper Abhishek was the major wicket taker for India with bowling figures 4/37.

With this terrific Asia Cup win, Indian U-19 team coach Rahul Dravid has added another feather in the cap.

Brief Score:

India Under-19s: 273 for eight in 50 overs (Himanshu Rana 71, Shubman Gill 70; Nipun Ransika 3/50, Praveen Jayawickrama 3/53)

Sri Lanka Under-19s: 239 all out in 48.4 overs (Reven Kelly 62, Kamindu Mendis 53; Abhishek Sharma 4/37, Rahul Chahar 3/22)

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