Sriwastava nails Lankans in final

Big matches inspire the best in some people. For most though, they are a nerve-wracking experience. The final of the Under-19 World Cup in Sri Lanka was one of those situations where young Indian cricketers were under a lot of pressure. The senior team was doing very badly in Australia at the time when Under-19 skipper Mohammed Kaif went out to toss with his opposite number Malinda Gajanayake. The home team captain won the toss and elected to bat first at a packed Sinhalese Sports Club Ground in Colombo. The atmosphere was electric as the players took the field.

Having been asked to field, India Under-19s had their task cut out. Bowling on a flat wicket against Lankan batsmen who were in good nick, the Indians would have to do exceptionally well. Kaif threw the ball to left arm seamer Shalabh Sriwastava who had done so well for him in the tournament till then. The Uttar Prdesh left arm seamer delivered the goods yet again.

In just the fourth ball he bowled, Sriwastava drew first blood. Bowling from close to the stumps, as has become customary for him, he trapped the dangerous Ian Daniels plumb in front. Daniels was definitely one of the danger men in the Sri Lankan Under-19 team. Umpires in Sri Lanka were not famous for giving LBW decisions. Yet, Daniels had to go, having failed to get off the mark. At 1-1, Sri Lanka were in trouble in the Under-19 World Cup final. This was exactly the kind of start India needed.

Jehan Mubarak then managed to steady the ship, sealing up one end. Although the runs were hard to come by, Mubarak at least managed to make sure that Sri Lanka had some sort of platform to launch an attack from. Sriwastava kept up the pressure, finishing his first spell with the figures of 6-2-15-1.

Although the Lankans managed to steady their innings to 118/5, there was more trouble. As the Lankans attempted to step up the run rate, Sriwastava was recalled to the attack. He responded by clean bowling Kaushalya Lokuarachchi, a useful late order batsman.

The Lankans then lost their way completely. Ranil Dhammika attempted a pull shot to a ball from Sriwastava that was faster than he expected. The ball ballooned into the air and looked like it would land in no man's land. Sodhi, charging in from midwicket, threw himself full length and just about got his hands under the ball. Tumbling hard on the ground, Sodhi held on to the ball and came up in exultation. The catch was easily the most spectacular of the tournament.

At the end of the innings, Sri Lanka were restricted to 178 all out. Sriwastava's figures were an impeccable 9-2-33-3. The target proved to be easily attainable for the Indians, and Sriwastava had played a crucial role in India's World Cup triumph.