Sri Lanka defeat India U-19 by 1 wicket:Host clinch three-match unofficial ODI series 2-1, Vineeth’s 131-run knock goes in vain

Sri Lanka U-19 defeated India by 1 wicket in the third Youth ODI to win the three-match series 2-1. Batting first after losing the toss, India scored 290 runs for 8 wickets in 50 overs, thanks to a century by VK Vineeth and a half-century by Lakshya Raychandani. In reply, Sri Lanka chased down the target of 291 runs on the last ball, losing 9 wickets. In this match played in Hambantota, host Sri Lanka snatched victory from India’s jaws in the last over. In the final over, Sri Lanka needed 11 runs to win and had only one wicket left. Despite the pressure, the team achieved the target and won the match as well as the series. VK Vineeth slams 131 runs off 136 balls For India, VK Vineeth played a brilliant century innings. He scored 131 runs off 136 balls with the help of 13 fours and 3 sixes. Lakshya Raychandani contributed 61 runs off 63 balls with 7 fours. Both batsmen steadied the Indian innings with a 108-run partnership for the third wicket. However, the Indian top order could not perform as expected. Captain Yashvardhan Chauhan was out for 6 runs and Rajat Baghel for 8 runs off 14 balls. Kushagra Ojha scored 3, and Arjun Rajput scored 14 runs. Shavin Vinod, coming in at number seven, played a useful innings of 26 runs off 31 balls with the help of 3 fours, while Mohit remained unbeaten on 19 runs. For Sri Lanka, Sethmika Seneviratne took the most wickets, with 4. Gimhan Mendis got 2 wickets and Kavija Gamage got 1 wicket. Chamika Heenatigala secured a thrilling victory Chasing a target of 291 runs, Sri Lanka did not get off to a good start and lost their first wicket early. Thereafter, Senuja Vekunagoda stabilized the innings by scoring 67 runs. Kavija Gamage (29) and Kithma Vithanapathirana (31) also made important contributions. Finally, Chamika Heenatigala played a match-winning innings. Heenatigala scored 84 runs off 68 balls and led the team to victory. In the final over, Sri Lanka needed 11 runs. Heenatigala hit a four on the second ball of the over, but the next two balls were dots, increasing the pressure. After this, Heenatigala hit a magnificent six on the fifth ball, leveling the match. Taking a single run on the last ball, Sri Lanka won the match by 1 wicket and the series by 2-1.