Tuesday Jul 07, 2026
Tuesday Jul 07, 2026
Tuesday, 7 July 2026 04:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
Sri Lanka U19 captain Vimath Dinsara helped Dimantha Mahavithana in an unbroken stand of 163
Trinity College, Kandy opener Dimantha Mahavithana stroked a brilliant unbeaten century and S Thomas’ Mt Lavinia left-arm seamer Gimhan Mendis took five wickets for 41 runs to set up Sri Lanka U19’s series levelling eight-wicket win against India Under19 in the second Youth ODI played at the Mahinda Rajapaksa Cricket Stadium, Hambantota yesterday.
In another high scoring match India U19 chose to bat first but failed to last the 50 overs as they were dismissed for 285 in the 48th over. Sri Lanka U19 knocked the runs off losing only two wickets to win with 12 balls to spare.
The three-match series stands at one-all with the third and final game to be played on 9 July at the same venue.
A feature of the Indian batting was the fifth wicket partnership of 145 in 21 overs between Anvay Dravid, the 17-year-old son of former Indian cricketer Rahul Dravid and Arjun Rajput. The pair came together when India U19 were in a bit of bother having lost their first four wickets for 81.
Dravid went on to score a stroke-filled 87 off 67 balls (9 fours, 1 six) before becoming one of Mendis’ five victims. Rajput made 76 off 81 balls (9 fours, 1 six) when Mahavithana ran him out with a direct hit. Once the partnership was broken India U19 lost their way with the last six wickets falling for 59 runs. Mendis cleaned up the tail getting the last two Indian wickets off successive deliveries.
Sri Lanka U19 lost an early wicket when Dulnith Sigera was out for 14, but Mahavithana batting with great authority combined in two century partnerships to see Sri Lanka U19 home comfortably. He finished the match in grand fashion with a six that also brought up his 150. Mahavithana finished unbeaten on 155 scored off 153 balls (12 fours, 5 sixes) and was assisted in partnerships of 103 off 124 balls by Senuja Wekunagoda (60 off 64 balls, 4 fours, 2 sixes) and 163* off 135 balls by skipper Vimath Dinsara (56* off 60 balls, 3 fours). – [ST]
Scores:
India (U19) 285 (47.2) (VK Vineeth 24, Kushagra Ojha 38, Anvay Dravid 87, Arjun Rajput 76, Gimhan Mendis 5/41, Kavija Gamage 2/54)
Sri Lanka (U19) 291-2 (48) (Dimantha Mahavithana 155*, Senuja Wekunagoda 60, Vimath Dinsara 56*)
Anvay Dravid and Arjun Rajput put on 145 runs for the fifth wicket
Gimhan Mendis leads the Sri Lanka U19 team to the pavilion after taking five wickets
Dimantha Mahavithana exults after reaching his century
Anvay Dravid, son of former Indian cricketer Rahul Dravid batting during his knock of 87
