Wicketkeeper-batter Anvay Dravid hits 87 as India U19 post 285 against Sri Lanka
Hambantota, July 6
Promising wicketkeeper-batter Anvay Dravid, son of the legendary Rahul Dravid, smashed a brilliant 67-ball 87 to help India Under-19 post a competitive 285 against Sri Lanka Under-19 in the second youth ODI here at the Mahinda Rajapaksa International Cricket Stadium on Monday.
Electing to bat, the visitors suffered an early collapse and slipped to a precarious 81/4 in the 19th over. However, Anvay and Arjun Rajput (76 off 81 balls) staged a remarkable rescue act by stitching a crucial 145-run partnership for the fifth wicket to steady the innings.
Anvay, 17, showed great aggression during his stay, hammering nine boundaries and a six. He reached his maiden Youth ODI half-century off just 47 deliveries. He looked poised for a century before falling to left-arm pacer Gimhan Mendis, who was the pick of the Sri Lankan bowlers with impressive figures of 5-41, as his knock with a strike-rate of 129.85 ended.
Rajput's solid knock ended when he was run out by a sharp throw from Dimantha Mahavithana. Following Anvay's dismissal at 263/7, the Indian lower order collapsed, losing the final three wickets for just 22 runs as India U-19 were bowled out for 285 in 47.2 overs.
Anvay, who captained Karnataka in the Vinoo Mankad Trophy and amassed 220 runs, is firmly in contention for the next Under-19 World Cup. His elder brother, Samit Dravid, was also selected for the India U-19 squad for the series against Australia but missed out due to a knee injury.
India U-19 currently lead the three-match series 1-0, having successfully chased down a target of 321 runs to register a thrilling four-wicket victory in the opening match at the same venue.
Brief Scores: India U19: 285 all out in 47.2 overs (Anvay Dravid 87, Arjun Rajput 76; Gimhan Mendis 5/41) vs Sri Lanka U19.
— IANS
Reader Comments
Brilliant knock! But honestly, I'm concerned about the middle-order collapse after he got out. 285 is decent but against a good Sri Lankan side, it might not be enough. Need more consistency from the lower order. Also, Samit Dravid missing out due to injury is sad—would've been great to see both brothers play together.
Arjun Rajput deserves equal credit here—76 off 81 in a pressure situation is top-class. Anvay played aggressively, but Rajput held the innings together. Great to see Indian U-19 producing such talented batters. The future looks bright! 🔥
285 is a good score but 47.2 overs only means we wasted some deliveries. Could've pushed to 300+. But credit to Mendis from Sri Lanka—5/41 is excellent bowling. Anvay missed his century by just 13 runs, that's heartbreaking. Hope he learns from this and converts next time. Ab bas, defending this total karna hain! 💪
I'm so excited to see the next generation of Dravid! But I wonder—is the media already putting too much pressure on Anvay? He's only 17, and comparisons to his father are inevitable. Let the boy play his natural game. Also, that partnership with Rajput was pure class 👌
Impressive fightback from India U-19 after being 81/4. Anvay Dravid's aggressive approach with a strike rate of 129.85 shows modern-day batting,
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