Arnav Bugga produced a match-winning knock of 139 runs as Delhi U19 pulled off a thrilling chase against Gujarat in their opening match of the Vinoo Mankad Trophy 2026, reaching 341/7 in 49.5 overs to seal a hard-fought victory.
Chasing a formidable target of 339, Delhi displayed composure and determination in a high-scoring encounter, overcoming Gujarat’s total of 338/6 to begin their campaign on a winning note.
Gujarat’s batting effort had set up a challenging contest, but Delhi’s bowlers managed to make important breakthroughs. Varun Vanjani was the standout performer with the ball, claiming two wickets for 36 runs in his allotted 10 overs.
Delhi’s response was led by Bugga, whose commanding 139-run innings kept the chase on track and put pressure on the Gujarat bowling attack. He received valuable support from Aaryan Sharma, who scored an impressive 77 runs, helping Delhi maintain the momentum during the pursuit.
Aryavir Sehwag also made a crucial contribution with a half-century, ensuring Delhi remained firmly in contention as the chase entered its decisive stages, the Delhi & District Cricket Association (DDCA) said in a release on Thursday.
DDCA president Rohan Jaitley praised the team’s performance, describing the victory as a proud moment for the association and highlighting the importance of its youth development system.
“Chasing such a big total reflects not just talent, but the robust youth development system we have built. The composure shown by Arnav, Aaryan and Aryavir under pressure is a testament to our grassroots programmes and reaffirms our mission to nurture the next generation of Delhi cricketers,” Jaitley said.
Reflecting on his innings, Bugga said the team had maintained its belief despite the imposing target and focused on building partnerships throughout the chase.
“I knew if I could stay out there and build partnerships, we could get over the line. Aaryan Sharma and Aryavir Sehwag batted exceptionally well at the other end, taking the pressure off at key moments,” he said.
Bugga added that contributing to such a closely fought victory was an incredible feeling and would give the team valuable momentum for the remaining matches in the tournament.
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