The defending Champions India started their World Cup defence on a resounding 90 run win over Sri Lanka played at Mangaung Oval, Bloemfontein on Sunday.
Sri Lankan captain Nipun Perera won the toss and decided to field first. The Indian openers Yashasvi Jaiswal and Divyaansh Saxena got Indian team off to flying start putting pressure on Sri Lankan bowlers. Saxena and Jaiswal raced to 54 for 0 at the end of the first 10 overs.
After the power play overs, Saxena was dismissed for 23 by de Silva. The Indian openers put on 66 runs in just 11.5 overs. Tilak Verma came to the crease and looked positive with his stroke play. Jaiswal reached his fifty off 70 balls with a boundary. Jaiswal played a wild shot and was caught by the keeper Mishara for 59. Jaiswal and Verma added 46 runs for the 2nd wicket.
The Indian captain Priyam Garg came to the crease and kept the scorecard ticking along with Tilak Verma. Daniel made the breakthrough for Sri Lanka getting the wicket of Tilak Verma for 46. Verma and Garg added 59 runs for the 3rd wicket. Jurel came to the crease and looked busy rotating the strike along with Garg. Garg reached his fifty off 64 balls. Jurel and Garg added 63 runs for the 4th wicket.
Dhruv Jurel and Siddhesh Veer took the attack to Sri Lankan bowlers in the last few overs. Jurel reached his fifty off 46 balls in the 49th over. Veer remained not out on a quickfire 44 off 27 balls to help India post 297 for 4 in 50 overs. Jurel and Veer added unbeaten 63 runs for the 5th wicket.
Chasing 298 runs to win, it was not an ideal start for the Sri Lankan team as Navod Paranavithana was dismissed by Mishra for 6. Rasantha and Mishara steadied the innings for the Lankan team with positive stroke play. At the end of 10 overs, Sri Lanka were 50 for 1.
After the power play overs, both Sri Lankan batsmen looked solid and composed. With the things looking dangerous, Jaiswal struck to dismiss the dangerous Rasantha for 49. Rasantha and Mishara added 87 runs for the 2nd wicket. Despite Sri Lankan captain Nipun Perera 50, the Indian bowlers kept picking wickets at regular intervals and bowled them out for 207 in 45.2 overs.
India Under 19 297 for 4 in 50 overs (Jaiswal 59, Priyam Garg 56, Jurel 52*, A de Silva 1/40) beat Sri Lanka Under 19 207 in 45.2 overs ( Nipun Perera 50, Rasantha 49, Akash Singh 2/29, SA Veer 2/34) by 90 runs.
Siddhesh Veer for his 44 off 27 balls was awarded the man of the match.
