India U19 vs Sri Lanka U19, ACC Men’s U19 Asia Cup 2024: Vaibhav Suryavanshi Stars to Seal Final Spot for IND U19

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India U19 vs Sri Lanka U19, ACC Men’s U19 Asia Cup 2024: IND U19 advanced to the finals of the Men’s U19 Asia Cup 2024 with a commanding seven-wicket win over SL U19 at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium on Friday, December 6.

The victory was spearheaded by 13-year-old sensation and Player-of-the-Match Vaibhav Suryavanshi, who delivered an explosive 67 off 36 balls, and the all-round efforts of Ayush Mhatre.

Electing to bat first, Sri Lanka U19 were put on the back foot early, with their top three dismissed for just eight runs within the first four overs. Chetan Sharma led the Indian bowling charge, claiming figures of 3/34. Ayush Mhatre and Kiran Chormale contributed with two wickets each, while Yudhajit Guha and Hardik Raj chipped in with one apiece.

Sri Lanka’s innings was rescued by a 93-run fourth-wicket stand between Sharujan Shanmuganathan (42) and Lakvin Abeysinghe (69). However, once Shanmuganathan fell to Mhatre in the 29th over, the Sri Lankan middle and lower order collapsed. From 101/4, they were bundled out for 173 in 46.2 overs, unable to deal with India’s disciplined bowling.

How did India U19’s Chase Pan Out in Men’s U19 Asia Cup 2024 Semifinal?

Chasing a modest target of 174, India got off to a flyer, courtesy of a blazing partnership between openers Vaibhav Suryavanshi and Ayush Mhatre. Suryavanshi, who came into the tournament with high expectations as the youngest IPL-contracted player, demonstrated his immense potential with a sensational innings.

His knock included five sixes and six boundaries, punishing the Sri Lankan bowlers with clean hitting, particularly in the cow corner region. Mhatre provided a steady foil at the other end, scoring a quick 34 off 28 balls with seven boundaries.

Sri Lanka managed to remove both openers – Mhatre at 91 in the ninth over and Suryavanshi at 132 in the 14th – but by then, the damage was done. India’s middle-order batters, led by skipper Mohamed Amaan (25* off 26) and KP Karthikeya (11* off 14), ensured there were no further hiccups, completing the chase in just 21.4 overs with 170 balls to spare.

Sri Lanka’s bowling lacked penetration, with Praveen Maneesha (1/27), Viran Chamuditha (1/38), and skipper Vihas Thewmika (1/33) picking up wickets but failing to contain the Indian batters. The team struggled to recover from their poor start with the bat and were outplayed in all departments.

India will now face defending champions Bangladesh U19 in the final, aiming to secure the title.