In the Under-19 tri-series clash at BCCI's Centre of Excellence Ground 2 in Bengaluru, India A were in trouble having lost six wickets for 100 runs. Then, Mohamed Enaan came and turned the tide in India’s favour. With support from Anmoljeet Singh, Enaan scored an unbeaten 74-ball 105 to help his side post 269/7. In reply, wicketkeeper-batter Harvansh Pangalia scored 99 but it went in vain as India B were bowled out for 243, losing the match by 23 runs, their third consecutive defeat of the series. The win helped India A qualify for the final which will be played on November 30.
India A suffer collapse
India B skipper Aaron George won the toss and opted to field first. Rohit Das struck twice with the new ball, dismissing both openers Lakshya Raichandani and Vansh Archarya. Vihaan Malhotra tried to hold on to one end but Udhav Mohan knocked him over. India A skipper Malhotra departed for a 54-ball 42. Then, Jeganathan Hemchudeshan struck twice in consecutive overs to dismiss VK Vineeth and wicketkeeper-batter Abhigyan Kundu. India A lost half the side for 68 in 17.2 overs.
Enaan goes berserk
Alankrith Rapole and Khilan Patel tried to do damage control. Left-arm spinner BK Kishore broke the partnership with Rapole's wicket. He scored 16 runs from 52 balls. A few overs later, Kishore got the better of Patel who faced 82 deliveries to score 37 runs. Enaan arrived at the crease and did not take much time to break free. From 47 deliveries, he reached his fifty. In the 43rd mark, India A reached 200. In the slog overs, Enaan went berserk. He hit six sixes in 12 fours in his 74-ball 105. On the other end, Anmoljeet scored 30 runs from 50 balls. Their 135-run partnership for the eighth wicket helped India A post 269/7 on the board.
India B lose wickets early too
India B's run chase got off to a poor start. Aditya Rawat got an edge off George's bat on the third ball. The skipper departed for a three-ball duck. Mohammed Malik struck twice in the second over, dismissing Yuvraj Gohil and Rahul Kumar. Vedant Trivedi did not stay long at the crease as he got caught and bowled by Malik in the eighth over of the innings. The partnership between Arnav Bugga and Pangalia was building but the opener was run out by Rapole for a 57-ball 49. India B lost half the side for 97 in 23rd over.
Pangalia, Hemchudesan’s fightback in vain
Hemchudeshan provided the much-needed support in the middle overs. Pangalia played patiently and got to his fifty from 73 balls. The required run rate was climbing up and the pair accelerated. They crossed the 200-run mark in the 39th over. The partnership was broken with the wicket of Pangalia. Malhotra ended his stay at the crease. Pangalia scored 99 runs from 113 deliveries, including 12 fours and two sixes. Rawat came back into the attack and sent Kishore and Mohan packing. The pressure got to Hemchudeshan and he became Rawat's fourth victim of the day. Malik got the final wicket as India B were bowled out for 243 in 47.2 overs, losing by 26 runs.
India B will now face Afghanistanin their next match on November 25. With two wins Afghanistan have practically qualified for the final as well.