Kushagra Ojha's unbeaten ton steers India U-19 to 253/3 vs Sri Lanka
Synopsis
India Under-19 were two down without a run on the board inside six overs — and still finished day one at 253/3. Kushagra Ojha's unbeaten 103 and an unbroken 131-run stand with Manal Chauhan turned a potential collapse into a position of dominance in the second Youth Test against Sri Lanka in Colombo.
Key Takeaways
Kushagra Ojha scored an unbeaten 103 to anchor India U-19's recovery in Colombo on 20 July .
India were reduced to 0/2 in the first six overs before the turnaround began.
Skipper Yashbardhan Chauhan hit 78 off 89 balls with 11 fours and 2 sixes ; Manal Chauhan remained unbeaten on 55 .
Ojha and Manal put on an unbroken 131-run fourth-wicket stand , including 99 runs in the final 20 overs .
Rain and bad light cut play to 65 overs instead of the scheduled 85 .
Gimhan Mendis took 2/42 as Sri Lanka's best bowler on the day.
Kushagra Ojha's unbeaten 103, anchored by half-centuries from skipper Yashbardhan Chauhan (78) and Manal Chauhan (55 not out), hauled India Under-19 from a precarious 0/2 to a commanding 253/3 in 65 overs on day one of the second Youth Test against Sri Lanka Under-19 in Colombo on Monday, 20 July. Rain and bad light restricted play to just 65 of the scheduled 85 overs, yet India's recovery was emphatic.
Disastrous Start for India
Sri Lanka Under-19 elected to bowl first and struck immediately, reducing the visitors to 0/2 within the opening six overs. New-ball bowlers Sethmika Seneviratne and Gimhan Mendis removed openers Lakshya Raichandani and Sagar Virk respectively without either batsman troubling the scorers. India had to wait until the eighth over before registering their first run off the bat, when Yashbardhan got off the mark.
Ojha and Yashbardhan Rebuild
The recovery began with a crucial 122-run third-wicket partnership between Ojha and the skipper. Yashbardhan took the counter-attacking route, reaching his half-century off just 51 balls in the 21st over, before he was dismissed by Mendis at the stroke of the 30th over for a brisk 78 off 89 balls, laced with 11 boundaries and two sixes. Ojha, meanwhile, provided the calm anchor, reaching his own fifty off 101 deliveries in the 42nd over.
Ojha-Manal Partnership Puts India in Command
With Yashbardhan gone, Manal Chauhan joined Ojha and the pair forged an unbroken 131-run fourth-wicket stand, plundering 99 runs off the final 20 overs of the day. Play was called off moments after Ojha brought up his century. At stumps, Ojha remained unconquered on 103 while Manal held firm at 55 not out, leaving India firmly in the driver's seat heading into day two.
Bowling Figures and Match Context
Gimhan Mendis was the pick of the Sri Lanka attack with 2 for 42, while Seneviratne chipped in with 1 for 46. This is the second Youth Test of the series, and India's recovery from a two-wicket collapse without a run on the board underlines the depth of the current U-19 batting setup. Notably, all three of India's primary contributors — Ojha, Yashbardhan, and Manal — are names that have been on the national age-group radar ahead of next year's ICC Under-19 World Cup cycle.
Brief Scores
India Under-19 253/3 in 65 overs (Kushagra Ojha 103 not out, Yashbardhan Chauhan 78; Gimhan Mendis 2-42, Sethmika Seneviratne 1-46) vs Sri Lanka Under-19. Day two resumes with India holding a strong position and all results still possible.
Point of View
Aggressive in the final stretch, and unbeaten at stumps. Sri Lanka's new-ball burst was sharp; their inability to press the advantage after those two early wickets will be the question their coaching staff examines overnight. With rain already a factor and two full days remaining, India's position is strong but not yet decisive.
NationPress
21 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What was India Under-19's score at the end of day one against Sri Lanka?
India Under-19 closed day one at 253/3 in 65 overs in Colombo. Rain and bad light meant only 65 of the scheduled 85 overs were bowled.
How many runs did Kushagra Ojha score in the second Youth Test?
Kushagra Ojha scored an unbeaten 103, reaching his century just before play was called off for the day. He anchored the innings throughout after India's top order collapsed.
How did India lose their first two wickets so quickly?
Sri Lanka's new-ball pair Sethmika Seneviratne and Gimhan Mendis dismissed openers Lakshya Raichandani and Sagar Virk respectively within the first six overs, leaving India at 0/2 without a run scored.
What partnerships rescued India Under-19 on day one?
Two partnerships turned the match: a 122-run third-wicket stand between Ojha and skipper Yashbardhan Chauhan, followed by an unbroken 131-run fourth-wicket stand between Ojha and Manal Chauhan.
Who were Sri Lanka's most effective bowlers on day one?
Gimhan Mendis was the standout with 2 wickets for 42 runs, dismissing both openers and later removing Yashbardhan Chauhan. Sethmika Seneviratne took 1 for 46.
