Sehwag, Raichandani fifties power India to 10-wicket rout of Nepal in U-19 Asia Cup
Synopsis
Aaryavir Sehwag, son of Virender Sehwag, blazed to a 34-ball fifty as India hammered Nepal by 10 wickets in their U-19 Asia Cup opener in Muscat — a complete team performance where Ishan Sood's 3-18 dismantled Nepal first, then the openers hunted down 129 in under 20 overs to shoot India to the top of Group A ahead of a Sunday showdown with Pakistan.
Key Takeaways
India beat Nepal by 10 wickets in the Men's Under-19 Asia Cup opener at Al Amerat Cricket Ground, Muscat on 6 November 2026 .
Aaryavir Sehwag top-scored with an unbeaten 70 , reaching his fifty off just 34 balls .
Skipper Lakshya Raichandani finished unbeaten on 53 , bringing up his fifty off 59 balls .
Fast bowler Ishan Sood took 3 wickets for 18 runs in a 10-over unbroken spell with 4 maidens .
India lead Group A with 2 points and an NRR of 4.170 ; next match vs Pakistan on Sunday .
Aaryavir Sehwag and skipper Lakshya Raichandani struck unbeaten half-centuries as India crushed Nepal by 10 wickets in their opening Men's Under-19 Asia Cup fixture at the Al Amerat Cricket Ground, Muscat, on Friday, 6 November 2026. Chasing a modest 129, the Indian openers knocked off the target in just 19.1 overs with the match wrapped up 185 balls early.
Nepal's Innings Unravels Early
After India elected to bowl on a pitch with a thin grass covering, fast bowler Ishan Sood exploited the conditions brilliantly from the outset. Moving the ball both ways and repeatedly beating the bat, Sood claimed 3 wickets for 18 runs from an unbroken spell of 10 overs that included four maidens, leaving Nepal in early trouble.
Darsh Sonar provided the chief resistance, scoring 43 off 93 balls and anchoring partnerships of 24 and 43 runs with Niraj Yadav and Aashish Luhar respectively to nudge Nepal past the 100-run mark. However, once his stand with Luhar was broken, the lower order capitulated swiftly. Left-arm spinner Arjun Rajput claimed 3 wickets for 8 runs and Yashveer Goud chipped in with 2 scalps as Nepal were dismissed for 128 in 42.3 overs.
Sehwag and Raichandani Make Light Work of the Chase
With the new ball swinging less under lights, the Indian openers began cautiously before shifting gears with a flurry of boundaries. Aaryavir Sehwag — son of former India opener Virender Sehwag — was the aggressor, repeatedly stepping down the pitch to loft Nepal's spinners over the infield. He blazed to his half-century off just 34 balls, finishing unbeaten on 70. Raichandani adopted a more measured role, rotating the strike efficiently before bringing up his own fifty off 59 balls to end on 53 not out. The opening stand of 129 was never interrupted.
India Top Group A, Eye Pakistan Clash
The emphatic win put India at the summit of Group A with two points and a commanding net run rate of 4.170. It is the kind of statement performance that sets a tone early in a group-stage tournament, where NRR can prove decisive. India's next assignment is a high-stakes encounter against arch-rivals Pakistan in their second Group A match on Sunday.
Brief Scores: Nepal 128 in 42.3 overs (Darsh Sonar 43, Aashish Luhar 29; Arjun Rajput 3-8, Ishan Sood 3-18) lost to India 129/0 in 19.1 overs (Aaryavir Sehwag 70 not out, Lakshya Raichandani 53 not out) by 10 wickets.
Point of View
And India delivered it methodically — first with the ball, then with the bat. Aaryavir Sehwag's name will draw attention, but it is worth noting that his 34-ball fifty was built on genuine strokeplay against spin, not just pedigree. The bigger story, however, is structural: Ishan Sood's ability to generate swing on a low-bounce Muscat surface gives India a first-over weapon that most U-19 sides in Asia cannot match. With Pakistan next and NRR already a healthy 4.170, India enter Sunday's fixture as clear favourites — and the pressure is entirely on their rivals.
NationPress
6 Nov 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the result of India vs Nepal in the U-19 Asia Cup 2026?
India beat Nepal by 10 wickets in their Men's Under-19 Asia Cup Group A opener at the Al Amerat Cricket Ground, Muscat, on 6 November 2026. Aaryavir Sehwag (70 not out) and skipper Lakshya Raichandani (53 not out) chased down 129 in 19.1 overs.
How did Aaryavir Sehwag perform in the U-19 Asia Cup opener?
Aaryavir Sehwag scored an unbeaten 70, reaching his half-century off just 34 balls by targeting Nepal's spinners. The son of former India opener Virender Sehwag played the aggressor role in an unbeaten opening stand of 129 with skipper Raichandani.
What were Ishan Sood's bowling figures against Nepal?
Ishan Sood returned figures of 3 wickets for 18 runs in a continuous 10-over spell that included 4 maidens. He exploited the grassy pitch by moving the ball both ways, triggering an early Nepal collapse.
Who is India's next opponent in the U-19 Asia Cup 2026?
India face Pakistan in their second Group A match on Sunday. India go into the game as Group A leaders with 2 points and a net run rate of 4.170 after their 10-wicket demolition of Nepal.
Who is Aaryavir Sehwag?
Aaryavir Sehwag is the son of former India international opener Virender Sehwag. He is part of the India Under-19 squad for the 2026 Men's Under-19 Asia Cup and impressed with an aggressive 34-ball fifty in the team's opening match against Nepal in Muscat.
