Anvay Dravid on fire, hammers 151 off 100 for second century in Vinoo Mankad Trophy

Anvay Dravid continued his remarkable run in the Vinoo Mankad Trophy as he smashed a 100-ball 151 to help Karnataka Under-19s secure a five-wicket win over Gujarat and book their place in Friday’s knockouts.

The 17-year-old, younger son of former India captain Rahul Dravid hit 20 fours and three sixes as Karnataka chased down a revised target of 352 under the VJD method after Gujarat posted an imposing 357 for four in 50 overs.

Anvay, who is captaining Karnataka in the tournament, combined with Dhruv Krishnan to turn a dismal chase into a successful one. The pair added 203 runs for the third wicket in just over 26 overs, with Dhruv contributing an equally aggressive 131 off 100 balls. Their partnership put Karnataka firmly in control of the contest after Gujarat put up a big total through two outstanding individual performances.

Sameer Bhandari scored an unbeaten 119 off 88 deliveries while Yash Panjwani was not out on 106 off just 57 balls. The duo rescued Gujarat from 140 for four in 30.3 overs, adding 217 runs for the fifth wicket in just 19 overs.

ATTACK ON FIRE

The century was Anvay’s second in the tournament this season and the latest in a string of attacking performances. In Karnataka’s 100-run win over Chandigarh, he hit 104 off 62 balls before scoring a quick 85 off 41 deliveries against Delhi earlier this week.

The knock against Delhi underlined his appetite for the bowlers as Anvay smashed five sixes and seven fours as Karnataka piled up 418 for four. Against Gujarat, he maintained that aggressive approach in the chase under high pressure, combining hitting boundaries with a substantial partnership that kept Karnataka on course.

The Karnataka captain has also been entrusted with the wicket duties, which increases his responsibility on the field. So far, the special requirements haven’t seemed to curtail his attacking instincts with the bat.

His domestic performances follow an encouraging start to his India Under-19 career. During India’s Youth ODI tour of Sri Lanka in July, Anvay scored 87 off 67 balls in the second match at Hambantota, hitting nine fours and a six.

He carried that form into the Youth ODI series against Australia in September. In the rain-shortened first match in Rajkot, Anvay hit 38 off just 18 deliveries, including three sixes and two fours, to help India post 182 for six in a match reduced to 20 overs. India won by seven runs.

As Karnataka cruised into the knockouts, Anvay’s latest hundred adds to an increasingly impressive season in which he has shown he can score quickly, build partnerships and deliver when his team needs a substantial contribution.

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