Wekunagoda (233) becomes Sri Lanka’s highest individual scorer

Wednesday, 15 July 2026 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

India make bold reply with 186-0
First Under19 Youth Test at Galle

Senuja Wekunagoda became the highest individual scorer for Sri Lanka in an Under19 Youth Test when he carved a monumental 233 on the second day of the first Under19 Youth Test against India at the Galle International Cricket Stadium yesterday.

Wekunagoda who was undefeated on 203 overnight went past Yashodha Lanka’s 15-year-old record of 213 scored against England U19 at the P Sara Oval, taking 23 balls to move to 214 and become the new record holder for his country. His 267-ball knock was finally ended when off-spinner Jeganathan Hemchudeshan breached his defence to bowl him for 233. The innings comprised 33 fours and a six, which was another new Sri Lankan record for the most runs in boundaries (138) surpassing Dinesh Chandimal’s 112 (28 fours) against Bangladesh U19 at Fatullah in 2009.

Once the partnership of 111 for the fifth wicket between Wekunagoda and Chamika Heenatigala (45) was broken, wickets took a tumble as Sri Lanka collapsed from 385-4 to 388-9 losing five for three runs. It was poor batting by the late order to hand the advantage back to India after being on top till the 98th over.

If not for last man Oshada Manahara, the 17-year-old from DS Senanayake College who played a cameo innings of 31* off 12 balls (4 fours, 2 sixes) Sri Lanka would not have got over the 400-run mark. They closed their innings at 424-9. Hemchudeshan with three wickets yesterday was the pick of the bowlers ending with 3/107 off 24 overs.

With the track not giving the bowlers much assistance India mounted their reply in grand style with their openers Lakshya Raichandani and Sagar Virk posting 186 without loss. Raichandani was unbeaten on 93, scored off 136 balls (10 fours, 2 sixes) and Virk on 87* off 215 balls (12 fours). India trail Sri Lanka by 238 runs with all ten first innings wickets in hand. Play continues on its third day today. – [ST]

Scores: Sri Lanka (U19) 424-9 decl. (o/n 344-4) (Senuja Wekunagoda 233, Vimath Dinsara 52, Kavija Gamage 49, Chamika Heenatigala 45, Oshada Manahara 31*, Kavya Patel 2/67, Jeganathan Hemchudeshan 3/107, Priyanshu Singh 2/66) vs. India (U19) 186-0 at close (Lakshya Raichandani 93*, Sagar Virk 87*)