India win U-19 series in SA
Durban, January 9
Wicketkeeper-batsman Dhruv Jorel struck a delightful century before left-arm spinner Atharva Ankolekar scalped four wickets to help India beat South Africa by 69 runs and win the Quadrangular U-19 Series title. Jorel hit 101 off 115 balls with the help of eight boundaries and two sixes, while Tilak Varma struck 70 off 103 deliveries, helping India post 259/7 after being sent in to bat.
Left-arm orthodox bowler Ankolekar (4/31) then spun a web around the South Africa batsmen to bundle out the hosts for 190 in 43.1 overs in the title clash.
The start, however, was far from rosy for the Indians as they slipped to 13/3 in 6.1 overs. Yashasvi Jaiswal, Divyaansh Saxena and skipper Priyam Garg all departed early, leaving the tourists in a spot of bother. Jurel and Varma shared 164 runs for the fourth wicket to set the platform for a fighting total. Siddhesh Veer remained unbeaten on 48 off 37 balls.
South Africa’s chase never got going as the Indian bowlers picked up wickets at regular intervals. Leg-spinner Ravi Bishnoi (2/29) picked up two wickets, while Veer (1/19), Varma (1/11), Jaiswal (1/16) and Akash Singh (1/29) got one each. — PTI
Brief scores: India U-19: 259/7 (Dhruv Jurel 101, Tilak Varma 70; Gerald Coetzee 3/19); SA: U-19: 190 all out in 43.1 overs (Jack Lees 52; Atharva Ankolekar 4/31).
