The semi-final was heavily affected by weather, with persistent rain causing a delay of nearly five hours and forcing officials to reduce the contest to 20 overs per side. After winning the toss, India’s bowlers rose to the challenge on a damp surface, producing a disciplined display to restrict Sri Lanka to 138 for eight. The shortened format placed a premium on control and accuracy, and India’s young attack responded with maturity beyond their years.
Among the standout performers was Kanishk Chouhan, who made a decisive impact by claiming two wickets in a single over, disrupting Sri Lanka’s momentum at a crucial stage. His spell, combined with consistent pressure from the rest of the bowling unit, ensured Sri Lanka never truly broke free despite the reduced overs.
Chasing a modest but potentially tricky target of 139, India suffered early setbacks as captain Ayush Mhatre and 14-year-old prodigy Vaibhav Suryavanshi were dismissed cheaply, briefly giving Sri Lanka a foothold in the contest. However, any hopes of a comeback were quickly extinguished by a composed and authoritative partnership between Vihaan Malhotra and Aaron George.
Malhotra anchored the innings with an unbeaten 61, showcasing calm shot selection and an ability to rotate the strike under pressure. Aaron George provided solid support at the other end, also registering a half-century, as the pair guided India home with two overs to spare. Their partnership underlined India’s depth and resilience, qualities that have defined the team throughout the tournament.
Notably, both Vihaan Malhotra and Kanishk Chouhan were recently picked up by Royal Challengers Bengaluru at the IPL 2026 auction, and their influential performances in this semi-final further highlighted their growing stature in Indian cricket’s youth system.
With this emphatic win, India have booked a much-anticipated final clash against Pakistan, who defeated Bangladesh in the second semi-final. The result not only reinforces India’s status as one of the strongest sides in the tournament but also sets the stage for a classic rivalry showdown, where continental supremacy will be on the line.
About The Author
.webp)
Comment List