IND vs SL U-19 Asia Cup 2025: Vice-captain Vihaan Malhotra's brilliant strokeplay, along with Aaron George's gritty knock, helped India set up their final match with arch-rival Pakistan as they had beaten Sri Lanka by eight wickets during a rain-induced match on Friday. Owing to rain, the match was reduced to 20 overs per side, and the Indian bowlers, who had performed well in this tournament, skittled Sri Lanka out for 138 runs.

While chasing, Malhotra, who was roped in by RCB at the IPL mini auction, was seen smashing sixes comfortably.

He, along with George, was equally brilliant in his strokeplay and helped the team chase the target in 18 overs.

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The Men in Blue will be playing their eighth final on the back of a 114-run partnership between Malhotra and George for the third wicket.

India had earlier defeated Pakistan at the U-19 Asia Cup final in 2014, where the team consisted of players like Hreyas Iyer, Sarfaraz Khan, Sanju Samson, and Kuldeep Yadav.

They had a disappointing start to their chase as openers Ayush Mhatre (7) and Vaibhav Suryavanshi (9) fell cheaply as fast bowler Rasith Nimsara took their wickets. Mhatre, who had a forgetful run in this tournament, mistimed a shot in Nimsara's over.

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Nimsara changed his speed for Suryavanshi, who got a leading edge on his bat.

But Malhotra began his knock with a six in Nimsara's over, and he didn't stop. George showed his skills in off-spinner Kavija Gamage's over.

Sri Lanka U-19 had put up a fight in the 13th over, where Malhotra first smashed a four and then hit a six through extra cover.

While bowling first, the Indian bowlers performed well to skittle Sri Lanka at 28/2 in six overs, but captain Vimath Dinsara (32) and Chamika Heenatigala (42) stitched a partnership of 45 runs and helped the team to bounce back.

Sethmika Seneviratne's gritty knock of 30 runs off 22 balls helped the team post a target of 135 runs. Kanishk Chauhan and Henil Patel were the picks among the Indian bowlers as they took two wickets each.