Rohit Yadav's 4-49 powers India U-19 to 211-run win, series 1-0 vs Sri Lanka
Synopsis
India Under-19 overturned a 2-1 Youth ODI series deficit to clinch the Youth Test series 1-0 in Colombo, with leg-spinner Rohit Yadav's 4-49 and pacer Chigurupati Venkata's 3-27 dismantling Sri Lanka for 260 in their second innings — falling 211 runs short of a 472-run target. A statement win for India's next generation.
Key Takeaways
India Under-19 beat Sri Lanka Under-19 by 211 runs in the second Youth Test at R Premadasa Stadium, Colombo on 23 July .
India sealed the two-match Youth Test series 1-0 ; the first match had ended in a draw.
Leg-spinner Rohit Yadav was the pick of the bowlers with 4-49 ; pacer Chigurupati Venkata took 3-27 .
Sri Lanka were bowled out for 260 chasing a target of 472 , resuming the final day at 155/4 .
Vimath Dinsara (64) and Senuja Wekunagoda (64) top-scored for Sri Lanka in the second innings.
The win reversed India's fortunes after a 2-1 defeat in the preceding Youth ODI series.
Leg-spinner Rohit Yadav claimed a four-wicket haul as India Under-19 dismantled Sri Lanka Under-19 by 211 runs in the second Youth Test at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on Thursday, 23 July, sealing the two-match series 1-0. The victory marked a confident statement from the young visitors, who had entered the Test leg trailing 2-1 from the preceding Youth ODI series.
How the Final Day Unfolded
Set a daunting target of 472, Sri Lanka resumed their second innings on the final day at 155/4, with overnight batter Vimath Dinsara and Kavija Gamage at the crease. The pair extended their fifth-wicket stand by 40 runs across 26.3 overs, offering early resistance. Dinsara, who had begun the day on 55, eventually departed for 64 off 129 balls — a gritty knock that briefly threatened to stretch the contest.
Once that partnership was broken, India's bowlers moved through the remaining wickets with controlled aggression. Gamage dug in for a grinding 36 off 152 balls — the longest innings of Sri Lanka's second dig — before Yadav ended his stay. Sri Lanka were eventually bowled out for 260 in 76.5 overs, shortly after the post-lunch session began.
Rohit Yadav and the Bowling Attack
Yadav's figures of 4-49 made him the standout performer with the ball, as he dismantled the lower order after pacer Chigurupati Venkata had struck early with 3-27. Off-spinner J Hemuchudeshan provided the final blow, dismissing Sethmika Seneviratne — who had briefly threatened with a quickfire 42 off 49 balls, including six boundaries and a six — to wrap up the innings and confirm the victory.
Series Context and Turnaround
The opening Youth Test had ended in a draw, meaning India needed a result in the second match to clinch the series. Their first innings total of 411, followed by a declaration at 208/3 in the second, set the platform. Sri Lanka's first innings of 148 left them with an almost insurmountable deficit, and their second innings of 260 fell well short of the target. Notably, the series win represents a sharp turnaround for India U-19 after their ODI series loss, underscoring the team's adaptability across formats.
Brief Scorecard
India Under-19: 411 and 208/3 dec | Sri Lanka Under-19: 148 and 260 (Senuja Wekunagoda 64, Vimath Dinsara 64; Rohit Yadav 4-49, Chigurupati Venkata 3-27) | Result: India Under-19 won by 211 runs; series won 1-0.
India's young side will look to carry this momentum into future assignments as the next generation of Test cricketers continues to take shape.
Point of View
And two batters scoring 64 each in a losing cause is not nothing. What the result really reveals is India's bowling depth at the U-19 level: a leg-spinner and a pacer sharing seven wickets between them, with an off-spinner closing it out, suggests a well-rounded attack rather than reliance on a single match-winner. The more meaningful data point is the format switch: India lost the ODI series 2-1 and then dominated the Test. That adaptability — adjusting tactics and personnel across formats — is precisely what the BCCI's age-group pipeline is designed to produce. Whether these names graduate to senior cricket will depend on how the system manages them over the next two to three years.
NationPress
23 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the result of the India U-19 vs Sri Lanka U-19 second Youth Test?
India Under-19 won the second Youth Test by 211 runs at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on 23 July. Sri Lanka were bowled out for 260 chasing a target of 472.
Who were the top performers for India U-19 in the match?
Leg-spinner Rohit Yadav was the standout bowler with 4-49, while pacer Chigurupati Venkata took 3-27. Off-spinner J Hemuchudeshan took the final wicket to seal the win.
Did India win the Youth Test series against Sri Lanka?
Yes, India Under-19 won the two-match Youth Test series 1-0. The first match ended in a draw, and India won the second to clinch the series.
How did Sri Lanka's batters perform in the second innings?
Vimath Dinsara and Senuja Wekunagoda each scored 64 runs, offering the most resistance. Sethmika Seneviratne hit a quickfire 42 off 49 balls late in the innings, but Sri Lanka still fell 211 runs short.
What was the context of this series for India U-19?
India had lost the preceding Youth ODI series to Sri Lanka 2-1, making the Youth Test series win a significant turnaround. The victory highlighted the team's ability to adapt across formats at the junior level.
