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India’s legendary batter and newly appointed head of National Cricket Academy (NCA) VVS Laxman applauded the Indian Under-19 side's Asia Cup glory. Laxman feels the victory becomes more praiseworthy as it came despite the players' preparations being hit by inclement weather in the run-up to the tournament.
The Men in Blue reclaimed their dominance in the tournament with a record eighth title as they romped Sri Lanka by a huge margin of nine wickets in the summit clash which was curtailed by rain in Dubai on Friday (December 31).
For the 47-year-old batting legend, this triumph is an 'ideal confidence booster for the upcoming ICC Under-19 World Cup, which is slated to kick off from January 14 in West Indies.
"Congrats to the India U-19 side on the #AsiaCupU19 triumph! Their preparations were hit by the weather, among other things, but it's heartening to see them improve by the game," Laxman tweeted.
"That's as satisfying as the title win itself. Ideal confidence-booster for the World Cup," the tweet added.
In the final showdown, the Indian bowlers were all over Sri Lanka, who were gasping at 74 for seven in 33 overs, when heavy rain lashed the Dubai International Cricket Stadium and stopped play for more than two hours.
It became a 38-overs-a-side contest when play resumed with Sri Lanka limping to 106 for nine.
India were set a revised 102-run target via DLS method which they reached in 21.3 overs with opener Angkrish Raghuvanshi scoring an unbeaten 56 off 67 balls.
BCCI president Sourav Ganguly and secretary Jay Shah too congratulated the team for the top-notch show and for achieving this historic feat.
"Congratulations to the under 19 team for winning the Asia Cup ..No cricket for 15 months since2020 for covid and to win is a commendable effort ..well dne to plyrs ,coaches , new slctrs who hd vry ltle time to pick the best players ..NCA deserves a lot of credit," Ganguly, who has been discharged from hospital after treatment for Covid, said in a tweet.
"Congratulations to India U19 for their excellent performance in the #U19AsiaCup and for winning the championship for the 8th time! This tournament has been an ideal preparation ahead of the ICC U19 World Cup in West Indies next month. #BoysInBlue," Shah tweeted.
The former India player Wasim Jaffer also heaped praise on the Indian colts.
"Congratulations to skipper Yash Dhull and Team India for winning the U-19 Asia Cup. #U19AsiaCup #INDvsSL," Jaffer tweeted.
