U19 Asia Cup: Aaryavir Sehwag flaunts class and style as India rout Nepal
Aaryavir Sehwag gave a glimpse of his batting range as India Under-19 began their Asia Cup campaign with a comprehensive 10-wicket win over Nepal in Dubai on Friday.
Chasing a modest target of 129, the son of former India opener Virender Sehwag remained unbeaten on 70 off 52 balls, striking seven fours and four sixes. Alongside captain Lakshya Raichandani, who made 53 not out off 63 deliveries, he guided India home in just 19.1 overs. The pair put together an unbroken century stand as India completed the chase without losing a wicket. | U19 Asia Cup IND vs NEP Highlights |
Aaryavir’s innings had a touch of the Sehwag style. He was quick to use his feet against both pace and spin, and was particularly severe whenever the bowlers offered him width or length.
His first boundary came in the fifth over, when he leaned into a full delivery from left-arm pacer Shushil Rawal and drove fluently through the covers. Rawal then tried to shorten his length and take the ball away from the right-hander. Aaryavir responded by stepping down the pitch and punching the delivery through the same region. He kept batting outside his crease to ensure the left-arm pacer’s movement did not trouble him when the ball was new during the chase.
The first six arrived in the 10th over. Spotting a full delivery from off-spinner Bipin Sharma, Aaryavir danced down the track and slog-swept it over long-on. He grew in confidence as the innings progressed, holding his pose after striking the ball cleanly into the stands.
He brought up his half-century in style, lofting fast bowler Abhay Yadav over the ropes and watching the ball crash into the sight screen.
Aaryavir heads into the tournament on the back of an impressive run in age-group cricket. He made headlines in the Vinoo Mankad Trophy, India’s domestic Under-19 50-over competition, with a 143-ball 173 for Delhi against Chandigarh in October. The innings included 19 fours and eight sixes, although Delhi went on to lose the match.
He also had a productive outing against Australia Under-19 in Rajkot in September, scoring 28, 47 and 34 in the three one-day matches. The Asia Cup opener was another opportunity to show that he can shift gears and take charge of a chase.
There was interest around Anvay Dravid, too, with the wicketkeeper-batter also part of the India squad. However, the 129-run target was chased down so comfortably that he did not get an opportunity to bat.
India’s bowlers had set up the win earlier in the day. Tall fast bowler Ishan Sood led the attack with three wickets for 18 runs, while Arjun Rajput returned figures of 3 for 8 as Nepal were bowled out for 128 in 42.3 overs. Darsh Sonar top-scored with 43 off 93 balls, but Nepal struggled to recover after slipping to 51 for four.
The win gives India a confident start, but a much sterner examination awaits. They take on Pakistan in their next Group A fixture on Sunday, a contest that is likely to offer a clearer measure of the side’s credentials.
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