India and Sri Lanka will face each other in the first semifinal of the ICC U-19 World Cup at the Shere Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur on Tuesday.
India have been a formidable force in this ICC U-19 World Cup, and they will look to continue their rampaging run when they lock horns with neighbours Sri Lanka.
Rahul Dravid's team defeated Ireland, New Zealand and Nepal in the group stage to qualify for the quarterfinals as the top team in their section. They then thumped Namibia by 197 runs in the quarterfinals to cruise into the semifinals of the tournament.
India are considered the favourites to lift the U-19 World Cup for a record fourth time. Surprisingly, India U-19 have not lost a single game ever since the legendary Dravid took over as the coach. The former India captain had earlier said that India have the potential to lift the trophy and now it seems they are well and truly on course to achieve the record-breaking feat.
Sarfaraz Khan and Rishabh Pant have been the standout performers for India in the ongoing U-19 World Cup in Bangladesh. Sarfaraz and Pant have scored 252 and 245 runs respectively, in just four matches. They will look to add more runs similar in the semifinal against Sri Lanka.
India U-19 bowlers Avesh Khan, Mahipal Lomror and Mayan Dagar have done extremely well, and have been equally as good as their batsmen.
Meanwhile, Sri Lanka U-19 knocked England out of the tournament courtesy a comprehensive six-wicket win in the quarterfinals. The Lankans have not made it to the final since 2000, and they will be desperate to make it to the title match this year. They have a mountainous task ahead of them, however, as India have been in outstanding form.
Sri Lanka have been majorly dependant on their two batsmen -- Charith Asalanka and Avishka Fernando -- who have scored the most number of runs for their team in this World Cup.
Their strike bowlers Wanidu Hasaranga De Silva and Damitha Silva will have to be at their best if Sri Lanka are to beat India on Tuesday.
Squads: India: Ishan Kishan (C), Rishabh Pant (wk), Khaleel Ahmed, Zeeshan Ansari, Rahul Batham, Ricky Bhui, Mayank Dagar, Armaan Jaffer, Sarfaraz Khan, Amandeep Khare, Avesh Khan, Mahipal Lomror, Shubham Mavi, Anmolpreet Singh, Washington Sundar.
Sri Lanka: Charith Asalanka (C), Sammu Ashan, Kaveen Bandara, Jehan Daniel, Avishka Fernando, Asitha Fernando, Wanidu Hasaranga, Lahiru Kumara, Kamindu Mendis, Charana Nanayakkara, Thilan Nimesh, Vishard Randika, Lahiru Samarakoon, Damitha Silva.
Where to watch live:
The 1st semi-final of the ICC U-19 World Cup between India and Sri Lanka is scheduled for a 9 am local time (8.30 am IST, 3 am GMT and 10 pm EST start). Star Sports 1 and HD 1 will broadcast the game live in India and Sri Lanka. The live streaming option will be available on Starsports.com.
Sky Sports 1 and HD 1 will telecast India vs Sri Lanka U-19 Super League semi-final live in UK. Watch Sky Sports will live stream the game.
US viewers can watch India U-19 vs Sri Lanka U-19 on Willow TV. Willow TV online will stream the super league semi-final live.
