India U-19 suffer humiliating 19-run defeat to Nepal

Nepal U-19 staged a huge upset by toppling India U 19 by 19 runs in the U-19 Asia Cup at at Bayuemas Oval, Kuala Lumpur on Sunday.

New Delhi: Nepal U-19 staged a huge upset by toppling India U 19 by 19 runs in the U-19 Asia Cup at at Bayuemas Oval, Kuala Lumpur on Sunday.

Chasing a target of 186, India colts collapsed from 65 for no loss to 166 all out mainly because of Nepal captain Dipendra Singh, who picked up 4 wickets including the important ones of Abhishek Sharma (27) and Anuj Rawat (18).

The India colts’ chase was going according to plan with the openers Himanshu Rana and Manjot Kalra getting off to solid starts. But the innings lost momentum as soon as Rana was dismissed for 46. His knock was highly entertaining while it lasted, he scored 46 off 38 balls that included one six.

India captain Himanshu Rana opted to bowl first. His decision was well backed up his bowlers, who did not allow Nepal to get off to a start.

It was a combined effort by the Indian bowlers led by Aditya Thakare and Abhishek Sharma, who picked up two wickets a piece to restrict Nepal to 185.

However, the batting let India down.

India had registered a comfortable 202-run win over Malaysia in their first match riding on a sparkling century by captain Himanshu Rana.