Team India opened their account in the ongoing U19 World Cup after defeating Sri Lanka by a massive margin of 90 runs. The defending champions were asked to bat first by the Islanders, and they grabbed the opportunity from both hands.
🤝 India putting the squeeze on against Sri Lanka!#U19CWC | #INDvSL | #FutureStars pic.twitter.com/xZTbhS9AW5
— ICC Cricket World Cup (@cricketworldcup) January 19, 2020
Indian batsmen shattered the bowling unit of their opponents and posted a mammoth score of 297-4 in 50 overs. Opener Yashasvi Jaiswal started the proceedings and smashed the first half-century for India in the competition.
A very stylish knock from the Indian opener 🙌 #U19CWC | #INDvSL | #FutureStars pic.twitter.com/oU4hyVm0Gi
— ICC Cricket World Cup (@cricketworldcup) January 19, 2020
Not only Yashasvi, the skipper Priyam Garg and Dhruv Jurel also joined the party by scoring 56 and 52, respectively. Jurel was unbeaten along with all-rounder Siddhesh Veer who played handy innings of 44 not out. No.3 batter Tilak Verma missed out from reaching his fifty when the Lankan wicket-keeper stumped him at 46.
Fifties from Yashasvi Jaiswal, skipper Priyam Garg and Dhruv Jurel guide India U19 to 297/4 against Sri Lanka U19 in their opening match of #U19CWC.
Follow it live 👉👉https://t.co/XiJYfYoD0M#INDvSL #TeamIndia pic.twitter.com/qZ0ZdlHZzM
— BCCI (@BCCI) January 19, 2020
In reply, Sri Lanka had a terrible start as they lost the first wicket on 19 runs. However, Kamil Mishara and Ravindu Rasantha showed some fight in between by adding 87 runs for the first wicket before Yashasvi dismissed Rasantha on 49.
After Rasantha’s wicket, Sri Lanka kept on losing their batsmen at regular intervals and got all out on 207. Siddhesh, Ravi Bishnoi, and Akash Singh were the pick of bowlers taking two wickets each.
Most wins against a team in Under-19s Cricket World Cup:
8 wins – INDIA vs SRI LANKA (9)
7 wins – Australia vs West Indies (8)India's only defeat against Sri Lanka in the U19 CWC came in 1988. They won all the eight matches against SL since the start of 2000. #U19CWC #INDvSL
— Sampath Bandarupalli (@SampathStats) January 19, 2020
Siddhesh, for his all-round performance, got the ‘Player of the Match’ award.
Today’s Player of the Match Siddhesh Veer 🏅 #U19CWC | #INDvSL | #FutureStars pic.twitter.com/ToZimR6C4E
— ICC Cricket World Cup (@cricketworldcup) January 19, 2020
The ‘Boys in Blue’ will face Japan in their next encounter on Tuesday (Jan 21) at Manguang Oval, Bloemfontein.