Arjun Rajput produced the defining innings of the Pak Vs Ind U19 contest in Doha, scoring 107 off 85 balls to pull India Under-19 back after an early collapse against Pakistan Under-19 in the Asia Cup.
India had already lost Lakshya Raichandani for a duck and VK Vineeth for eight on Sunday, with the innings wobbling early before Rajput took control. He reached his century in 80 balls and finished with 11 fours and five sixes, giving India a total that at least looked defendable after a difficult start.
Rajput steadies the innings
The pressure was on India from the outset. Aaryavir Sehwag, the son of Virender Sehwag, made 22 off 40 balls before being dismissed by Niqab Shafiq, while Anvay Dravid, the son of Rahul Dravid, scored 10 off 16 deliveries before edging Niqab Shafiq to deep extra cover.
That left Rajput with the responsibility of rebuilding the innings and then accelerating it. He did both. Once he settled, he turned a shaky position into a competitive one and ensured India did not collapse completely.
Pakistan strike early, but India recover
Pakistan Under-19 had the better of the opening exchanges, with early wickets exposing India’s top order. But Rajput’s composure and timing shifted the tone of the innings, even if the lower order could not add enough around him to push the total beyond 208.
In the end, India were bowled out for 208, a score that owed almost everything to Rajput’s hundred. Without that effort, the innings would have looked far less substantial. With it, India at least gave themselves something to work with in a high-profile rivalry match.
