India U-19 beat Srilanka by 90 runs, start World Cup campaign with a win
By Anurag Mallick Published on 19 Jan 2020 5:13 PM GMTHyderabad: Defending champions India led by Priyam Garg were off to a wonderful start as they beat Sri Lanka by 90 runs in their first match of the U-19 World Cup, on Sunday in Bloemfontein of South Africa.
Sri Lankan skipper Nipun Dhananjaya won the toss and elected to bowl. India's newest batting sensation Yashasvi Jaiswal walked in to open the innings alongside Divyansh Saxena.
The duo played with caution, sending the odd deliveries to the boundaries. It was in the 12th over when Divyansh got out on 23, Hyderabad boy Tilak Verma walked in. Tilak and Yashasvi kept the scoreboard ticking. Yashasvi stood up to the expectations and brought up his fifty, the first one for India in this World Cup. He got out for a well-made 59.
Skipper Priyam Garg took control of the innings with Tilak, who got out for 46. Wicket-keeper batsman Dhruv Jurel accompanied his skipper and both batsmen brought up their fifties. Priyam Garg got out for 56 and was replaced in the crease by Siddhesh Veer, who played a quick-fire 44 off 27 balls to take India to a formidable total of 297. Ashian Daniel was the pick of the Lankan bowlers as he gave away 39 runs and took a wicket in 10 overs.
Lankan batsmen found it difficult right from the beginning, with Indian bowlers pitching the ball in the right areas. Pacer Karthik Tyagi was very impressive with his short-pitch deliveries, clocking 140kmph several times.
Leg-spinner Ravi Bishnoi bowled with much control and picked 2 wickets. Left-arm seamer Akash Singh was able to bring the ball back as he picked 2/29 in 9 overs. Yashasvi Jaiswal picked a wicket as well.
Lankan skipper Nipun Dhananjaya was the only positive sign for his side as he scored a captain's knock of 50. Ravindu Rasantha scored 49.
All-round performances from Priyam Garg and the boys made sure India began their World Cup campaign on a winning note.
Siddesh Veer, who took 2-34 in 6 overs and shone with the bat scoring an unbeaten 44 (27), was adjudged the Man of the Match.