Sri Lanka U19 edge past India U19 to clinch home One-Day series

HAMBANTOTA: Sethmika Seneviratne's four-wicket haul, followed by half-centuries from Senuja Wekunagoda and Chamika Heenatigala, powered Sri Lanka U19 to an enthralling one-wicket victory over India U19 in the third and final One-Day of the home series here at the Mahindra Rajapaksa International Stadium on Thursday.

The victory meant Sri Lanka clinched the three-match series 2-1, having also won the second fixture, while the touring side claimed the opener.

Put into bat first in the series decider, the visitors accumulated a formidable total of 290/8 in their 50 overs, courtesy of an anchoring partnership between centurion VK Vineeth and Lakshya Rajesh Raichandani.

The duo recovered India A from a dismal start, which saw them being reduced to 31/2 in seven overs, by putting together 108 runs for the third wicket.

Kavija Gamage eventually broke the crucial stand in the 27th over by dismissing Raichandani, who walked back after scoring 61 off 63 deliveries with the help of seven fours.

Vineeth was then involved in brief partnerships with Kushagra Ojha (three) and Arjun Rajput (14) until eventually falling victim to Seneviratne in the 38th over. He remained the top-scorer for India U19 with a 136-ball 131, laced with 13 fours and three sixes.

Following his dismissal, Shavin Vinodh and Mohit Ulva made notable contributions to the visitors' total at the backend, scoring 26 and 19 not out, respectively.

Seneviratne was the standout bowler for Sri Lanka U19 as he picked up four wickets for just 41 runs in his 10 overs, followed by Gimhan Mendis with two, while Gamage chipped in with one scalp.

Set to chase a daunting 291-run target, the hosts ultimately knocked the winning runs on the final delivery of the innings with just one wicket in hand, courtesy of Heenatigala's unbeaten half-century.

The middle-order batter spearheaded Sri Lanka U19's tense pursuit and top-scored with 84 not out from just 68 deliveries, studded with seven fours and two sixes, and was thus named the Player of the Match.

Heenatigala took the reins of Sri Lanka U19's run chase after the departure of top-order batter Wekunagoda, who also scored a half-century, making a brisk 59-ball 67 with the help of 10 fours and a six.

Besides them, the middle-order duo of Kithma Withanapathirana (31) and Gamage (29), and No.10 Gimhan Mendis (23) made important contributions in the home side's successful run chase.

Anmoljeet Singh was the pick of the bowlers for India U19 as he took four wickets for 42 runs in his eight overs, followed by Shavin Vinodh with three, while Mohit Ulva bagged two.