Dambulla, July 26:
Indian bowlers put up an impressive performance to take the visitors within sniffing distance of a win before the last-wicket pair of Ramesh Mendis and Lakshan Jayasinghe stood tall to eke out a creditable draw for Sri Lanka in the first Youth Test (Under-19) here today.
Till yesterday evening, the match was heading for a tame draw with Sri Lanka comfotably placed at 235 for five in their first innings in reply to India’s 503 for seven declared.
Resuming their innings, Sri Lanka needed another 119 runs to reach 354 and avoid the follow-on.
But Indian pace duo of Atul Singh (3/39) and Chama Milind (2/41) had other plans as the Lankans lost their last five wickets for just 21 runs to enforce the follow-on on the home team.
Indian bowlers needed to pick up 10 more wickets on a placid track to win the match and they came tentalisingly close to their target before Mendis (22 not out) and Jayasinghe (8 not out) spoiled the visitors’ party. (PTI)
Follow our WhatsApp channel