Vihaan Malhotra's Journey to IPL: Insights from Coach Kamalpreet Sandhu

Coach Reflects on Vihaan Malhotra's Development

Kamalpreet Sandhu, the coach of young Indian cricketer Vihaan Malhotra, shared insights into the player's growth after his recent selection by Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) for the Indian Premier League (IPL).

Sandhu noted that Vihaan has been training for approximately 5-6 years, beginning his cricket journey at the district and state levels before advancing to the under-19 category.

He emphasized Malhotra's consistent improvement, mentioning that the batter has already participated in international youth competitions, including the Asia Cup, which plays a crucial role in a young athlete's development.

The coach described Malhotra's acquisition by RCB as a significant achievement in his career, expressing optimism that the franchise's environment will aid in his professional growth.

Looking forward, Sandhu highlighted the need to refine Malhotra's skills, particularly for the T20 format, stating, "We will focus on his shot selection, as the 20-over game demands quick adaptability and creativity."

ACC Asia Cup Final Highlights

In a remarkable performance, Pakistan's Sameer Minhas set a record for the highest individual score by a Pakistani in Youth ODIs during the ACC Asia Cup final against India, scoring 172 runs off 113 balls, including 17 fours and nine sixes.

This achievement ranks as the eighth-highest score in Youth ODI history, with South Africa's J van Schalkwyk holding the record at 215 runs.

In the match, India won the toss and chose to field first. Despite an early wicket, Minhas formed crucial partnerships, including a 92-run stand with Usman Khan and a 137-run partnership with Ahmed Hussain, leading Pakistan to a total of 347/8 in 50 overs.

Match Summary

India needs to chase down 348 runs to clinch the title. In their previous encounter, India U19 scored 240 runs, with Aaron George and Kanishk Chauhan contributing significantly. Pakistan, in response, was bowled out for 150 runs, with Deepesh Devendran and Kanishk leading the bowling attack.