India's campaign at the Under-19 Asia Cup came to a disappointing end on Friday as they suffered a defeat against Sri Lanka in a rain-affected semi-final clash. The much-anticipated performance from teenage batting sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi failed to materialize, contributing to India's unsuccessful chase.
Sooryavanshi's Early Dismissal Sets the Tone
The match, played on a challenging pitch, saw India set a target of 139 runs in 20 overs after Sri Lanka posted 138 for eight. The Indian innings got off to a shaky start with the early loss of their captain, Ayush Mhatre, who managed only seven runs from eight balls. However, the bigger blow was the dismissal of Vaibhav Sooryavanshi for a mere 9 runs in the fourth over.
Sooryavanshi's brief stay at the crease was a rollercoaster. He hit two boundaries off the first two deliveries from bowler Rasith Nimsara, raising hopes. But on the very next ball, he was caught at short midwicket by Sri Lankan skipper Vimath Dinsara. This early wicket put significant pressure on the Indian batting lineup, from which they could not recover.
Sri Lanka's Competitive Total on Tough Pitch
Earlier, after a delayed start due to a wet outfield, Sri Lanka batted first in the shortened contest. They managed to put up a competitive total of 138 for 8 in their 20 overs. Captain Vimath Dinsara top-scored with 32 runs, while Chamika Heenatigala played a crucial knock of 42 runs from 38 balls on a surface described as difficult for batting.
The Indian bowling attack put up a disciplined performance. Henil Patel and Kanishk Chouhan were the pick of the bowlers, taking two wickets each. Kishan Singh, Deepesh Devendran, and Khilan Patel also chipped in with one wicket apiece, restricting Sri Lanka to a manageable total.
Road to the Final and Looking Ahead
With this victory, Sri Lanka advances to the final of the Under-19 Asia Cup, where they will face the winner of the other semi-final between Pakistan and Bangladesh. The summit clash is scheduled for Sunday.
For the Indian team and particularly for Vaibhav Sooryavanshi—a player whom Indian batting coach Vikram Rathour has praised as "special"—this match serves as a learning experience. The failure of the top order in a crucial knockout game highlights areas for improvement as the team looks ahead to future international youth tournaments.
