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[Watch] Nikhil Kumar's Unreal Diving Catch Sends Off Sri Lanka Captain In U-19 Asia Cup

Soumyajit Dutta

Nikhil Kumar takes an absolute stunner to dismiss Sri Lanka U-19 skipper [Source: @SonySportsNetwk/X.com]Nikhil Kumar takes an absolute stunner to dismiss Sri Lanka U-19 skipper [Source: @SonySportsNetwk/X.com]

India has booked their place in the U-19 Asia Cup final after a commanding 7-wicket victory over Sri Lanka in Sharjah. Fans were on their feet as Nikhil Kumar showcased his extraordinary athleticism with a stunning low-dive catch to dismiss Vihas Thewmika, turning the tide of the match to Men in Blue's favour.

Nikhil Kumar's stunning low-diving catch stuns SL skipper

In the 40th over when Kiran Chormale bowled a delivery wide of the off-stump. Thewmika went for an ambitious sweep towards long-on, sending the ball soaring into the air. 

Nikhil Kumar sprinted in keeping his eyes fixed on the ball and executed a spectacular athletic dive to palm the ball safely in his hands. Thewmika, who contributed 14 runs off 17 balls, was sent packing.

India floors Sri Lanka to march into the Final

At Sharjah, Sri Lanka opted to bat first but quickly found themselves in trouble as their openers faltered under India's relentless bowling. Only Sharujan Shanmuganathan (42) and Lakvin Abeysinghe (69) put together respectable scores, pushing the total to 173 before being bowled out in the 47th over. Chetan Sharma stood out with the ball, taking 3 wickets for 34 runs, while both Kiran Chormale and Ayush Mhatre chipped in with two wickets each.

When it was India's turn to chase, Mhatre and RR's exciting new talent, Vaibhav Suryavanshi, struck up a strong partnership of 91 runs off just 51 balls, setting the perfect foundation for the innings. 

Mhatre fell in the 9th over, but captain Mohammad Amaan stepped in to guide the team home in just 21.4 overs. Thewmika claimed the key wicket of Mhatre, while Viran Chamuditha and Praveen Maneesha added one wicket each but couldn't stem the flow of runs as India closed the chase within 21.4 overs.

With this win, India marches on to the U-19 Asia Cup 2024 final, set to be held at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on December 8th at 10:30 AM IST.