Ashwin Spins Lanka Out; India Loses to WI in U19 WC Finals

Is Cricket, especially T20 – a batsman game ! – At Pune, there was tinge of grass and batsman failed.  At Vizag, in the decider, MS Dhoni retained the XI for a third straight match, won the toss and opted to field.  Sri Lanka made three changes, one of them thanks to an injury to Chamara Kapugedera. Man of the Match from Pune, Kasun Rajitha, and Danushka Gunathilaka were the others left out. Niroshan Dickwella came back at the top of the order,  Ashwin opened the attack and had Dickwella totally bemused with a tossed up delivery – Dickwella made just 1. Then of the last delivery of 1^st over, Ashwin had Dilshan too.  SL was in shambles – bowled out for 82 with Ash returning figures of 4-1-8-4 !; Jadeja complemented with 4-1-11-1; Raina chipped with 2-0-6-2. This morning it was disappointment for the Indian fan as India  lost the 2016 ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup final to West Indies by five wickets in a closely fought game in Mirpu.  Sarfaraz Khan’s fifth half-century of the tournament gave the Indian colts a total to defend.  Defending the 145-run target, pacer Avesh Khan gave India their first breakthrough in his second over. Opener Gidron Pope perished top-edging the ball to third man. 13 runs later, Tevin Imlach was bounced out by Khaleel Ahmed leaving West Indies on 28 for two. Mayank Dagar’s three quick wickets to leave the opposition tottering on 77 for five kept the match hanging in balance. However, a patient half-century by Keacy Carty (52* off 125) and Keemo Paul’s 40* (off 68 balls) helped West Indies overhaul the 146-run target with three balls to spare and lift the prestigious trophy for the first time. Regards – S. Sampathkumar. 14^th Feb 2016.
Pic credit : bcci.tv