India U19 edge past Sri Lanka U19 in high-scoring first One-Day

HAMBANTOTA: Half-centuries from SagarVirk, Lakshya Raichandani and Kushagra Ojha helped India U19 chase down a 321-run target and beat Sri Lanka U19 by four wickets in the first One-Day of the three-match series here at the Mahinda Rajapaksa International Cricket Stadium on Saturday.

Put into bat first, the home side piled up a formidable total of 320/6 in their 50 overs, courtesy of a 100-run partnership between Senuja Wekunagoda and Kavija Gamage, both of whom scored half-centuries.

Wekunagoda remained the top-scorer for the home side with an anchoring 91 off 111 deliveries with the help of 11 fours and a six, closely followed by Gamage, who made a 70-ball 77, laced with seven fours and a six.

Besides them, all-rounder Chamika Heenatigala made a notable contribution to the hosts' total at the backend with a blistering 46-run knock, coming off just 36 deliveries and featuring three fours.

Kavya Paresh Patel was the pick of the bowlers for India U19 as he bagged two wickets for 54 runs in his nine overs, while Mohit Ulva and Rohit Yadav chipped in with one scalp apiece.

Set to chase a daunting 321-run target, the visitors comfortably knocked the winning runs for the loss of six wickets and four balls to spare, courtesy of a collective effort.

The touring side got off to a decent start to the run chase as their opening pair of SagarVirk and captain Yashbardhan Chauhan (31) raised a 53-run partnership, which culminated with the latter's dismissal in the 11th over.

Virk was then joined by Raichandani in the middle, and the duo laid a solid foundation for a successful run chase by knitting an anchoring 84-run partnership for the second wicket before both perished in successive overs.

Virk made a cautious 57 off 75 deliveries, while Raichandani played a brisk 52-run knock, which came off 56 deliveries and featured five boundaries, including two sixes.

Following their back-to-back dismissals, Ojha took the reins of India U19's pursuit and put them within touching distance with a blistering 92 off just 67 deliveries, studded with eight fours and five sixes.

Later, all-rounder Yashveer Goud led India U19 to glory on the second delivery of the final over, with an unbeaten 33-run knock.

He also shared an undefeated 21-run partnership with Shavin Vinodh, who contributed 13.

For Sri Lanka U19, Sethmika Seneviratne and Gamage picked up two wickets each, while Kugathas Mathulan and Dulnith Sigera could claim one apiece.

The four-wicket victory gave India U19 a 1-0 lead over Sri Lanka U19 in the three-match series, the second fixture of which will be played at the same venue on Monday.