Dambulla, July 23:
It was Jammu-boy Shubam Khajuria who smashed 10 boundaries in his 61-ball knock of 52 runs and made an opening partnership of 79 runs alongwith Akhil Herwardkar (71) to send the bowlers on a leather-hunt in the first U-19 Youth ‘Test’ match, here today.
He, however, was the only batsman to be dismissed in the first session. It was left-arm spinner Lakshan Jayasinghe who dismissed Khajuria caught by Sadira Samarawickrama.
Skipper Vijay Zol continued with his brilliant form as his unbeaten century helped India reach a commanding 333 for two at stumps on the opening day.
Sri Lankan captain Kusal Mendis’s decision to field backfired badly as Zol (129 batting) along with Sanju Samson (74 batting) added 169 runs for the unbroken third-wicket stand after openers Shubham Khajuria (52) and Akhil Herwardkar (71) provided a solid start with 79-run opening stand.
The second-wicket partnership between Zol and Herwadkar was also fruitful one which yielded 85 runs.
Left-handed Zol, who has been a star performer at the colts level, started from where he had left during the recently concluded tri-series in Australia as he faced 213 balls hitting 14 fours and a six. He was in a mood to punish the spinners using his feet to perfection.
IPL star Samson also got his first significant score at this level after a moderate tour Down Under. Samson had 11 hits to the fence en route his 147-ball knock.
The only wicket that fell in the second session was of left-handed Herwadkar who tried to cut an off-break from Ramesh Mendis only to edge it to Kusal behind the stumps. Herwadkar faced 125 deliveries and hit nine fours in the process.
Brief Score: India U-19 (Ist Innings) 333/2 in 90 overs (Vijay Zol 129 batting, Sanju Samson 74 batting, Akhil Herwadkar 71, Shubham Khajuria 52) vs Sri Lanka. (PTI)
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