India vs Japan U19 Asia Cup: India Seeks Redemption
India faces Japan in the U19 Asia Cup today in Sharjah. They aim to recover from a 43-run loss to Pakistan in their opening match. The Indian side struggled to match Pakistan’s intensity. A late resistance from the last-wicket pair raised questions about their batting depth.
India’s Struggles Against Pakistan
India’s U19 Asia Cup campaign began poorly. They collapsed to Pakistan’s disciplined bowling. The defeat could have been heavier if not for a last-wicket partnership that added nearly 50 runs. India’s batters must now find form against the underdog, Japan.
Key Performances in the Pakistan Game
- Nikhil Kumar: 67 runs (Top scorer and the lone bright spot in an otherwise dismal performance).
- Vaibhav Suryavanshi: Managed only 1 run after struggling with seam bowling.
- Mohammed Amman: The skipper’s 16 off 43 balls slowed India’s momentum after Ayush Mhatre’s dismissal.
Rising talents like Ayush Mhatre (20), C Andre Siddarth (15), and Hardik Raj (0/47 in six overs) want to do better in today’s game.
Spotlight on Vaibhav Suryavanshi
Vaibhav Suryavanshi, a top player in the tournament, was highly anticipated. He entered the Asia Cup after earning a ₹1.10-crore IPL contract with the Rajasthan Royals. However, his performance against Pakistan fell well short of expectations.
At just 13 years and 8 months, Suryavanshi’s age is an impressive feat, but his technique remains a work in progress. His foot movement against Pakistan’s Ali Raza and Abdul Subhan was poor. It showed he needs to be more consistent at the U19 level.
Challenges for the Indian Batting Lineup
India’s batting unit, once considered formidable, looked out of sorts in their opener. Ayush Mhatre and C Andre Siddarth wasted their starts. Skipper Mohammed Amman’s poor batting hurt the innings.
The loss shows the middle order can’t handle seam movement. They must fix this before facing tougher teams in the tournament.
