India remained the only unbeaten team in the group stages of the 3rd ACC Emerging Teams Asia Cup after the final day of the group stage matches, played on 10th December, Monday in Colombo.
India were propelled by Himmat Singh’s unbeaten 124, which carried them home against the co-hosts, Sri Lanka at R. Premadasa Stadium in a high-scoring chase.
In the clash that would determine Group A toppers, Sri Lanka posted a decent score of 260 after electing to bat first.
Avishka Fernando, who opened in the previous matches, came in at number three and slammed a fine, well calculated 80 in 106 balls to anchor the Lankan innings. His second half-century in the tournament had six fours and one six.
Sri Lanka were down to six wickets before the final powerplay as the Indian pacers, Shivam Mavi and Prasidh Krishna troubled the Sri Lankan middle order. Experienced Asela Gunaratne played a gem of an innings to help Sri Lanka finish with a flourish. His unbeaten 67 came in just 64 deliveries with 7 fours as India were set a target of 261.
Fast-bowler Asitha Fernando trapped Atharwa Taide plumb in front in the very first ball of the Indian chase. Taide’s opening partner Ruturaj Gaikwad and two down batsman Himmat Singh constructed an invaluable 148-run stand for the third wicket to set up the chase.
Both Gaikwad and Singh manoeuvred the field brilliantly to get easy singles and score the odd boundary to keep the scoreboard ticking. Gaikwad played out 73 balls to score his 67, which also consisted 5 fours and 1 six.
Singh was the pillar of strength in the Indian innings as he remained unbeaten scoring a magnificent 126 off 140 balls with 12 fours and 2 sixes. He scored the winning runs as India reached the target with 15 balls to spare. Ambidextrous spinner Kamindu Mendis picked up three wickets for Sri Lanka.
Brief scores: Sri Lanka 260/7 in 50 overs (A.Fernando 80, S.Jayasuriya 38, A.Guneratne 67*; S.Mavi 3/62) lost to India 261/6 in 47.3 overs (R.Gaikwad 67, H.Singh 126*; K.Mendis 3-51) by four wickets
