New Delhi. A live and hair-raising example of why cricket is called a game of uncertainties was seen at the Mahinda Rajapaksa International Cricket Stadium in Hambantota. Last over, last ball and a breath-taking thrill! Sri Lanka Under-19 team made up for a lost match and defeated Indian Under-19 team by 1 wicket in the third and decisive Youth ODI. By winning this very close and closely fought match, host Sri Lanka has won the three-match Youth ODI series by 2-1.
After India’s victory in the first match, it seemed that the young Indian team would capture this series, but Sri Lanka made an amazing comeback. India won the first ODI by 4 wickets, after which in the second match held on 6th July, Sri Lanka turned the tables and defeated India by 8 wickets. In such a situation, the third match had become a ‘do or die’ final for both the teams, in which the host team ultimately won.
India A suffered a heart-breaking defeat on the last ball.
VK Vineet’s century made India a strong score
After winning the toss, Sri Lankan captain Vimat Dinsara decided to bowl first, which was initially proved wrong by the Indian batsmen. The Indian Under-19 team displayed excellent batting. Star batsman VK Vineet blasted the Sri Lankan bowlers and scored an excellent and intelligent century. Thanks to this century innings of Vineet, India scored a strong and challenging score of 290 runs after losing 8 wickets in the stipulated 50 overs. Sri Lanka had a huge target of 291 runs to win the series.
Sri Lanka’s bad start and Anmoljeet’s havoc
The start of the Sri Lankan team chasing the target was like a nightmare. Indian bowlers kept the host batsmen confined with tight line-lengths. Sri Lanka had lost its 3 key wickets for just 52 runs in just 11.4 overs. Dimanta Mahavithana departed after scoring 22 runs in 36 balls, while captain Vimat Dinsara could not even open the account and returned to the pavilion on zero.
In this hour of crisis, Senuja Vekunagoda and Kavija Gamage took charge. Both of them tried to save the team by making an important partnership of 79 runs for the fourth wicket. Senuja adopted an aggressive approach and scored a half-century of 67 runs in 59 balls with the help of 10 fours and 1 six. However, Indian spinner Anmoljeet Singh spread the magic of his spin and shook the Sri Lankan middle order. Sri Lanka had lost 5 wickets for 139 runs in 26.4 overs.
Anmoljeet Singh was India’s most successful bowler, taking 4 wickets for 42 runs in 8 overs. He was well supported by Shavin Vinod, who took 3 wickets for 41 runs in 10 overs. Mohit Ulva also took 2 wickets, although he proved to be a bit expensive and gave away 66 runs in 9 overs.
Middle order struggle and that historic partnership for the ninth wicket
At one time Sri Lanka’s score was 215 runs for 8 wickets in 40 overs. They needed 76 runs to win in the last 10 overs (60 balls) and only 2 wickets were left in hand. Sri Lanka’s last recognized pair was present at the crease. The Indian camp and fans present on the field had accepted victory, but the real thrill of cricket was yet to come.
From here Chamika Heenathigala and Gimhan Mendis started a counter attack against the Indian bowlers. Both of them made an incredible and match-winning partnership of 61 runs in just 47 balls for the ninth wicket. Mendis scored a sensible 23 runs in 22 balls and when he was out, the match had taken a completely exciting turn.
The thrill of the last over and the bravery of Heenatigala
The pace of the match had increased in the last overs. Chamika Hinathigala, standing like a rock at the crease, was holding one end. Foiling every strategy of the Indian bowlers, he played a magical inning of unbeaten 84 runs with the help of 7 fours and 2 skyscraper sixes in 68 balls.
turning point of the match
When the match reached the last ball of the last over, Sri Lanka needed runs to win and India needed one wicket. There was silence in the entire stadium. The bowler bowled the ball and Chamika Hinthigala showed wisdom and took Sri Lanka to the score of 291 runs for 9 wickets in 50 overs. This thrilling 1 wicket victory on the last ball brought an atmosphere of celebration in the Sri Lankan camp, while the Indian young players looked disappointed with this very close defeat. The winning streak slipped away from India’s hands, and Sri Lanka Under-19 won the trophy.
