Daijiworld Media Network - Dubai
Dubai, Dec 16: Abhigyan Kundu produced a sensational, record-breaking knock to script India’s emphatic victory over Malaysia in a Group A match of the Under-19 Asia Cup in Dubai. Batting with authority and composure, Kundu smashed an unbeaten 209 off just 125 deliveries as India piled up a mammoth 408 for 7 before dismissing Malaysia for 93.
Walking in at No. 5 in the 11th over, Kundu took charge of the innings and remained at the crease till the final ball. His double hundred ranks among the highest individual scores in youth cricket, though the innings does not carry official youth ODI status. The recognised youth double century remains South Africa’s Jorich Van Schalkwyk’s 215 against Zimbabwe earlier this year. Bangladesh’s Soumya Sarkar had also scored 209 in 2012, but that match too lacked official recognition.
India’s innings gathered early momentum through Vaibhav Suryavanshi, who struck a rapid 50 off 26 balls. Kundu then stitched together a commanding 209-run partnership for the fourth wicket with Vedant Trivedi, who played a measured knock of 90 off 106 balls. The stand spanned 30 overs and laid the foundation for India’s huge total. By the time Trivedi departed in the 41st over, Kundu was already cruising on 128 from 92 balls.
The final phase saw Kundu unleash his full range, hammering 81 runs off the last 33 deliveries to propel India beyond the 400-run mark. His contribution added to a consistent tournament run, having earlier scored 32 not out against the UAE and 22 against Pakistan.
For Malaysia, left-arm pacer Muhammad Akram emerged as the lone bright spot, claiming five wickets for 89 runs. His spell included the key dismissals of Suryavanshi, Vihaan Malhotra and Harvansh Pangalia.
Malaysia’s reply never gained traction. Both openers, Azib Wajdi and Mohammad Hairil, were dismissed without scoring, setting the tone for a collapse. Medium pacer Deepesh Devendran tore through the batting order, taking a wicket in each of his first five overs and reducing Malaysia to 38 for 7. He finished with a five-wicket haul as Malaysia were bowled out for 93 in 32.1 overs. A brief 36-run stand for the final wicket between Hamza Panggi and Jaashwin Krishnamurthi delayed the inevitable, but India wrapped up the innings soon after.
The 315-run victory keeps India firmly at the top of the Group A standings, following earlier wins against the UAE and Pakistan. Malaysia, meanwhile, remains at the bottom of the table after consecutive defeats.
Brief scores:
India U-19 408/7 in 50 overs (Abhigyan Kundu 209*, Vedant Trivedi 90; Muhammad Akram 5/89)
Malaysia U-19 93 all out in 32.1 overs (Deepesh Devendran 5/22, Udhav Mohan 2/24)
India won by 315 runs.