Aaryavir Sehwag 70 not out guides India U19 to 10-wicket win over Nepal
Aaryavir Sehwag's unbeaten 70 propelled India Under-19 to a 10-wicket victory over Nepal in Dubai in the U19 Asia Cup on Friday. Sehwag and captain Lakshya Raichandani (53 not out) chased 129 in 19.1 overs to complete the win without losing a wicket.
The 19-year-old, son of former India opener Virender Sehwag, displayed a broad range of strokes and used his feet effectively against both pace and spin during the chase. He arrives at the Asia Cup on the back of a 143-ball 173 for Delhi against Chandigarh in the Vinoo Mankad Trophy in October, an innings that featured 19 fours and eight sixes though Delhi lost the match. Sehwag also produced scores of 28, 47 and 34 in three one-day matches against Australia Under-19 in Rajkot in September, underlining recent form in age-group cricket.
In the chase Aaryavir remained unbeaten on 70 from 52 balls, striking seven fours and four sixes, while Raichandani finished 53 not out off 63 deliveries. The two batsmen put together an unbroken century stand and brought India to the target comfortably in 19.1 overs.
Sehwag opened his scoring in the fifth over by leaning into a full delivery from left-arm pacer Shushil Rawal and driving through the covers for his first boundary. When Rawal shortened his length, Aaryavir stepped down the pitch and punched through the same region, often batting outside his crease to counter the new-ball movement. His first six came in the 10th over when he danced down to off-spinner Bipin Sharma and slog-swept over long-on; he reached his half-century by lofting fast bowler Abhay Yadav over the ropes and into the sight screen. "Aaryavir Sehwag makes his bat do the talking with a blazing half-century! A glimpse of what's to come! Watch the #DPWorldMensU19AsiaCup2026, LIVE on Sony Sports Network TV channels & Sony LIV. #SonySportsNetwork #SonyLIV https://t.co/nJTjysvze4— Sony Sports Network (@SonySportsNetwk) November 6, 2026"
India's bowlers had earlier dismantled the Nepal innings to set up the chase. Tall pacer Ishan Sood returned figures of 3 for 18 and Arjun Rajput took 3 for 8 as Nepal were dismissed for 128 in 42.3 overs. Darsh Sonar top-scored for Nepal with 43 off 93 balls, but the side slipped to 51 for four and could not recover.
There was interest in wicketkeeper-batter Anvay Dravid as part of the India squad, but the nature of the comfortable chase meant he did not get an opportunity to bat. The win gives India a confident start, but a much sterner examination awaits: they face Pakistan in their next Group A fixture on Sunday.
