Anvay Dravid Celebrates India's U-19 Asia Cup 2026 Victory
Anvay Dravid's Excitement After the Win
Chennai (Tamil Nadu) [India], November 15: Young cricketer Anvay Dravid expressed his joy over India's thrilling one-wicket victory against Pakistan in the U-19 Men's Asia Cup 2026 final, calling it an "incredible" experience. He shared that lifting the continental trophy after such a nail-biting match was a unique feeling.
Anvay, the son of former Indian captain and coach Rahul Dravid, along with teammate VK Vineeth, returned to Tamil Nadu on Sunday to a warm reception following their remarkable win. "Yesterday's match was fantastic. Winning on the last ball was exhilarating. It felt amazing to secure the Asia Cup, especially after such a tight contest where we faced significant challenges. At one point, we thought we might lose, but turning it around was incredible... my father (Rahul Dravid) offered me some advice, but not too much," Anvay stated during his arrival.
India's Remarkable Performance in the Final
In a stunning display, India chased down Pakistan's daunting target of 338 runs, finishing at 339/9 to clinch the title at the Al Amerat Cricket Ground. Vineeth, reflecting on the challenging match against Pakistan, emphasized the pride of representing India at the Under-19 level, especially as a player from Tamil Nadu. "The match was tough, given the quality of our opponents. It’s a proud moment for me to represent India Under-19 from Tamil Nadu and to win the Asia Cup as a Tamil Nadu player. I aim to join the Tamil Nadu Under-19 camp and eventually compete in the Ranji Trophy and Vijay Hazare Trophy, aspiring to play in the IPL, TNPL, and for the national team," Vineeth remarked.
Coach Yere Goud's Insights
U19 Coach Yere Goud, who arrived in Mumbai on Sunday, shared his thoughts with the media, stating, "At the beginning, I thought they might score 400 runs. However, the way we fought back in the last ten overs gave us hope. If we could restrict them to under 350, we had a real chance. Considering our performance from start to finish, I truly believed we could achieve this victory."
Key Performers in the Final
India's chase was led by captain Lakshya Rajesh Raichandani, who scored 80 runs off 101 balls, while Aaryavir Sehwag added 58 runs from 61 balls. Manal Chauhan also played a crucial role with a quick 47 runs off 32 balls. As India faced the threat of defeat with regular wickets falling, Mohit Ulva's unbeaten 49 runs off just 26 balls, including five fours and three sixes, proved pivotal. Chigurupati Venkata contributed with an unbeaten 11 runs off eight balls, helping India secure victory in the final over.
Earlier, Pakistan had set a challenging target of 337/9 after choosing to bat first. Usman Khan was the standout performer for Pakistan, scoring 107 runs off 111 balls, while Abdul Qadir contributed 80 runs off 54 balls. Pakistan's captain Farhan Yousaf also added 63 runs off 60 balls. For India, Kavya Patel took four wickets for 68 runs, and Chigurupati Venkata claimed three wickets. India's thrilling win over their rivals capped off a remarkable campaign, showcasing their resilience and determination to claim the U-19 continental title.