India's Vikas Dixit Helps Win 1st Match Against Sri Lanka U-17

Report by Santanu Ganguly: Vikas Dixit’s brilliant century helped Coca-Cola India XI beat Sri Lanka Under-17 national team by a huge margin of 103 runs in the first match of the three-match series of Sri Lanka Tour, played at FTZ Ground in Colombo on Tuesday.

The match got delayed due to rain and number of overs was reduced to 47. Coca-Cola India XI won the toss and opted to bat first. However, they failed to get a steady start and lost three wickets in just 6.5 overs at the score of 43 runs.

Vikas arrived on the pitch at the crucial situation and played a stable innings. He held his stand at one end but on the other side, wickets kept falling at regular intervals.

Sri Lanka U-17 bowlers Dulan Tharaka and Raveen Sayer claimed three wickets each and rattled the batting line-up of Coca-Cola India XI.

However at one point, Delhi boy Vikas received good support from Kaif Ahmed (25) and Anupam (12). Finally, with the help of Pranjul and Amar, Vikas scored his century in the second-last ball of the innings.

In reply, Sri Lanka Under-17 national team managed to score 130 runs only. India’s Anish and Pranjul Puri destabilised opponents batting line-up with their acute bowling and claimed two wickets each. Amar Chaudhary and all-rounder Vikas Dixit also picked-up crucial wickets and helped their team to restrict SL U-17 at 130 for seven wickets.

Vikas Dixit, a student of Salwan Boys High School, was adjudged Man-of-the-Match for his match saving century.

Brief Scores:

CCI XI: 233 for 8 wkts in 47 overs (Vikas Dixit 102 not out, Kaif Ahmed 25, Nitin Tanwar 13; Dulan Tharaka 3 for 28, Raveen Sayer 3 for 32; Shammu Ashan 1 for 31 in 8 overs) beat SL U-17: 130 for 7 wkts in 47 overs (Lakshiana Rodrigo 21, Shammu Ashan 18, Kushal Lakthilina 17; Anish 2 for 25 in 7 overs, Pranjul Puri 2 for 33 in 8 overs, Amar Chaudhary 1 for 12 in 8 overs, Vikas Dixit 1 for 23 in 10 overs)