Al Amerat, Nov 2026: Aaryavir Sehwag and skipper Lakshya Raichandani struck unbeaten half-centuries as India opened their Men's Under-19 Asia Cup campaign with a commanding 10-wicket victory over Nepal at the Al Amerat Cricket Ground on Friday.
Chasing a modest target of 129, the Indian openers completed the task in just 19.1 overs without losing a wicket. Aaryavir remained unbeaten on 70, while Raichandani contributed an unbeaten 53 as India secured a comprehensive victory with 185 balls to spare.
Earlier, India's bowlers produced an impressive performance after the team elected to field on a surface with a thin covering of grass. Fast bowler Ishan Sood made excellent use of the conditions, moving the ball both ways and troubling the Nepal batters with his opening spell.
Sood picked up three wickets in his first six overs and eventually finished with figures of 3-18 from 10 overs, including four maidens. His disciplined spell put Nepal under pressure early and triggered a collapse at the top of the batting order.
Darsh Sonar provided some resistance with a patient 43 off 93 deliveries. He attempted to rebuild the innings through partnerships of 24 runs with Niraj Yadav and 43 runs with Aashish Luhar. Luhar contributed 29 as the pair helped Nepal cross the 100-run mark.
However, once Sonar's partnership with Luhar was broken, Nepal's lower order failed to offer much resistance. Left-arm spinner Arjun Rajput claimed three wickets, while Yashveer Goud picked up two as Nepal were bowled out for 128 in 42.3 overs.
India's chase began cautiously, with the openers taking time to settle before accelerating. Aaryavir, son of former India opener Virender Sehwag, took the attack to Nepal's spinners, frequently stepping out of his crease to hit boundaries down the ground. He reached his half-century in just 34 balls.
Raichandani played a measured innings, rotating the strike and allowing his partner to take the lead in the attack. He later completed his own fifty off 59 deliveries to ensure a comfortable finish.
The victory earned India two points and placed them at the top of Group A with a net run rate of 4.170. India will next face arch-rivals Pakistan in their second Group A fixture on Sunday.
Brief Scores: Nepal 128 all out in 42.3 overs (Darsh Sonar 43, Aashish Luhar 29; Ishan Sood 3/18, Arjun Rajput 3/8) lost to India 129/0 in 19.1 overs (Aaryavir Sehwag 70 not out, Lakshya Raichandani 53 not out) by 10 wickets.
