Like Father, Unlike Son: A Whirlwind Rescue Act
The legendary Rahul Dravid was famously known as “The Wall” for his defensive batting technique. However, his younger son, Anvay Dravid, displayed a completely contrasting style of cricket today, July 6, 2026. The 17-year-old wicketkeeper-batter smashed a breathtaking 87 runs off just 67 balls, rescuing the India Under-19 team from a severe top-order collapse. Playing in the second Youth ODI against Sri Lanka U19 at the Mahinda Rajapaksa International Cricket Stadium in Hambantota, Anvay’s aggressive counter-attack turned the game completely on its head and guided India to a highly competitive total of 285.
Top-Order Collapse and the Great Salvage Operation
Earlier in the morning, India U19 won the toss and elected to bat first under overcast conditions. However, the decision seemed to backfire quickly as the Sri Lankan left-arm pacer Gimhan Mendis wreaked havoc with the new ball. India lost both their openers, skipper Yashbardhan Chauhan (6) and Sagar Virk (4), leaving the team at a precarious 11 for 2 within the first four overs. Kushagra Ojha (38) and VK Vineeth (24) tried to rebuild with a 67-run partnership, but Sri Lanka struck back quickly with consecutive wickets, leaving the visitors reeling at 81 for 4 in the 19 over.
Walking into bat at number 5 under immense pressure, Anvay Dravid refused to adapt a conservative approach. Instead of shutting shop, the young prodigy chose to counter-attack, catching the Sri Lankan bowlers completely off guard. He found an excellent ally in Arjun Rajput, who anchored the other end beautifully. Together, the duo forged a massive, match-defining 145-run partnership for the fifth wicket off just 126 balls, driving India completely out of danger.
Anvay’s Blazing Strike Rate Shines
Anvay’s innings was a masterclass in modern white-ball cricket. Batting with an exceptional strike rate of 129.85, he continuously manipulated the field, hitting nine boundaries and a magnificent six. He reached his maiden Youth ODI half-century in just 47 deliveries. He looked completely set for a well-deserved century, but his aggressive stint was cut short by Gimhan Mendis, who ended up taking a superb five-wicket haul (5 for 41). Arjun Rajput also played a crucial role, scoring a steady 76 off 81 balls before being run out.
Following Anvay’s dismissal at 263 for 7, the lower order crumbled quickly, losing the final three wickets for just 22 runs, wrapping up the Indian innings at 285 in 47.2 overs. This performance is a major upgrade for Anvay, who managed only 14 runs in the opening match of the series, where India successfully chased down 321 to secure a 1-0 lead in the three-match series. Interestingly, it was a golden weekend for the Dravid household, as Anvay’s elder brother, Samit Dravid, also excelled in the domestic Maharaja Trophy T20 tournament on Sunday, scoring an unbeaten 40 and picking up two wickets for the Bengaluru Blasters.
