Yadav's six puts Indian colts on top

Left-arm spinner Kuldeep Yadav grabbed six for 38 as Indian colts dismissed hosts Sri Lanka for a modest 212 in the first innings of the second and final ‘Youth Test’ match here on Monday.

At stumps, India were 70 for two having lost their opener Shubham Khajuria (36) and Akhil Herwadkar (8) in the 19 overs that they faced during the final session. In-form skipper Vijay Zol (12 batting) was in the company of his deputy Sanju Samson (5 batting).

The day belonged to 18-year-old UP spinner Yadav who ran through the Lankan middle-order despite stiff resistance from their No 3 batsman Kavindu Kulasekara who struck a gutsy 84.

He faced 180 deliveries and hit seven boundaries and a six. The only notable partnership in the hosts’ innings was 71 runs for the seventh-wicket between Priyamal Perera (36) and Kulasekara.

After seamer Atul Singh (2/45) removed Kushal Mendis (34) and Hashan Dumindu (3), it was Yadav all the way as he troubled the batsmen with his flight and turn. He also used the arm-ball to good effect as it helped him to get rid of the stodgy Kulasekara.
Minod Bhanuka (11), Thilaksha Sumansiri (5) and Binuka Fernando (14) were quickly removed by Yadav as Sri Lanka were reduced to 132 for six.

After Kulasekara and Priyamal provided resistance for 27 overs, it was offie Amir Gani who cleaned up Perera after which Yadav polished off the tail dismissing the remaining three batsmen in a jiffy. His final figures were 17.2-3-38-6.

Brief scores: Sri Lanka U-19: 212 in 68.2 overs (Kavindu Kulasekara 84; Kuldeep Yadav 6-38, Atul Singh 2-45) vs India U-19: 70/2 in 19 overs (S Khajuria 36).