The Indian Under-19 cricket team, riding high on an unbeaten run, is set to clash with Sri Lanka U19 in a high-stakes semifinal of the U19 Asia Cup 2025 in Dubai on Friday. Led by captain Ayush Mhatre, the young Indian side is just one step away from securing a place in the tournament final.
Road to the Semifinal: Dominant India vs Resilient Sri Lanka
India's journey in the group stage has been nothing short of commanding. They began their campaign with a victory over the United Arab Emirates (UAE). This was followed by a comprehensive decimation of arch-rivals Pakistan and a strong performance against Malaysia, which helped them top Group A without a blemish.
On the other side, Sri Lanka U19 finished as the runners-up in Group B. Their path to the knockout stage included two wins and one loss, showcasing a mix of resilience and challenge that they will aim to overcome against the formidable Indian side.
Players in the Spotlight
All eyes will be on Indian opener Vaibhav Suryavanshi, who has been in scintillating form. Having already notched up a century and a fifty in the tournament, he will be the key batsman for India at the top of the order.
The spotlight will also shine on other promising talents in the Indian squad. Players like Vihaan Malhotra, Aaron George, and Abhigyan Kundu are expected to play crucial roles with both bat and ball. For Sri Lanka, the team will rely on the leadership of captain Vimath Dinsara and contributions from players like Kavija Gamage and Dimantha Mahavithana to pose a serious challenge.
How and Where to Watch the Action Live
For fans eager to catch every ball of this exciting encounter, the Sony Sports Network holds the official broadcasting rights for the U19 Asia Cup 2025. The IND U19 vs SL U19 semifinal will be televised live across multiple channels catering to different linguistic audiences.
Television Broadcast: Sony Sports 1, Sony Sports 3 (Hindi), Sony Sports 4 (Tamil), and Sony Sports 4 (Telugu).
Live Streaming: The match will be available for live streaming on the SonyLIV app and official website, ensuring fans can follow the action on the go.
Predicted Playing Elevens
Based on current form and tournament progression, the likely lineups for the semifinal are as follows:
India U19 Predicted XI: Ayush Mhatre (Captain), Vaibhav Suryavanshi, Vihaan Malhotra, Vedant Trivedi, Abhigyan Kundu, Harvansh Pangalia, Kanishk Chouhan, Khilan Patel, Deepesh Devendran, Kishan Kumar Singh, Udhav Mohan.
Sri Lanka U19 Predicted XI: Vimath Dinsara (Captain), Kavija Gamage, Dimantha Mahavithana, Viran Chamuditha, Dulnith Sigera, Chamika Heenatigala, Aadham Hilmy (Wicketkeeper), Kithma Withanapathirana, Sethmika Seneviratne, Sanuja Ninduwara, Kugathas Mathulan.
As the teams prepare for this crucial knockout match, the Indian colts will be confident but cautious, knowing that Sri Lanka is capable of an upset. The stage in Dubai is set for a thrilling contest between bat and ball, with a coveted spot in the U19 Asia Cup final on the line.
