Confident India Take on Sri Lanka in Under-19 World Cup Semis
An all-round Indian team have been undefeated so far in the tournament, meanwhile Sri Lanka have won two out of three games in the group stages.
Undefeated so far, three-time champions India will look to continue their rampaging run when they take on Sri Lanka in the semi-finals of the Under-19 World Cup at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur on Tuesday. (Read More in Cricket)
India have had an invincible run in the tournament so far, defeating Ireland, New Zealand and Nepal to top Group D. They then thrashed Namibia by a massive 197 runs to storm into the semi-finals.
Rishabh Pant and Sarfaraz Khan, who have amassed 252 and 245 runs respectively, in the tournament so far, have been the bulwark of the Indian batting order.
Pant had laid the foundation in their last game with a 96-ball 111 after opening the innings. Sarfaraz, on the other hand, has been the epitome of consistency as he scored three fifties in four games so far.
Armaan Jaffer and Mahipal Lomror too have contributed when needed and India will depend on them to take the side to the finals.
Their bowling unit too has put up a combined effort with Avesh Khan (9) emerging as the highest-taker. Mahipal and Mayank
Dagar too have chipped in with seven and five wickets respectively so far.
Sri Lanka, on the other hand, finished second behind Pakistan in pool B, winning two of the three games in the group stage. They beat Canada and Afghanistan but lost to Pakistan in the league stage.
In the quarterfinals, Sri Lanka bounced back with a comfortable six-wicket win over England and they would be keen to make it to the finals like they did in 2000.
Charith Asalanka (194) and Avishka Fernando (143) have scored maximum runs for Sri Lanka and islanders will depend on them again tomorrow.
Among their bowlers, Wanidu Hasaranga De Silva and Damitha Silva have troubled the batsmen with their spin, taking seven wickets so far, while spinner Thilan Nimesh and seamer Asitha Fernando picked up six wickets each and would look to continue the good work tomorrow.
Teams (from):
India: Ishan Kishan (C), Khaleel Ahmed, Anmolpreet Singh, Armaan Jaffer, Avesh Khan, Rahul Batham, Ricky Bhui, Mayank Dagar, Sarfaraz Khan, Amandeep Khare, Mahipal Lomror, Shubham Mavi, Rishabh Pant (wicketkeeper), Washington Sundar, Zeeshan Ansari.
Sri Lanka: Charith Asalanka (C), Shammu Ashan, Kaveen Bandara, Jehan Daniel, Vishad Randika (wicketkeeper), Wanidu Hasaranga, Asitha Fernando, Avishka Fernando, Lahiru Kumara, Kamindu Mendis, Charana Nanayakkara, Thilan Nimesh, Salindu Ushan, Lahiru Samarakoon, Damitha Silva.