Brisbane, September 21 – A fiery start from 14-year-old sensation Vaibhav Suryavanshi, followed by unbeaten half-centuries from wicketkeeper Abhigyan Kundu and Vedant Trivedi, powered the India Under-19 cricket team to a commanding seven-wicket victory over Australia Under-19 in the opening Youth ODI at Ian Healy Oval on Sunday.
Winning the toss and batting first, the Australian side was restricted to 225 for nine as Indian bowlers displayed disciplined line and length. Despite a fightback from John James, who scored a gritty unbeaten 77 off 68 balls, the hosts struggled after losing early wickets, slumping to 35 for four and later 107 for six. Henil Patel was the pick of the bowlers for India with three wickets for 38 runs, while Kanishk Chauhan and Kishan Kumar picked up two wickets each. RS Ambarish chipped in with one wicket. Australia’s lower order, led by Tom Hogan with 41 and Steven Hogan with 39, managed to stretch the total but failed to put up a commanding score.
In reply, India chased down the target of 226 in just 30.3 overs, finishing at 227 for three with 117 balls to spare. All eyes were on young prodigy Vaibhav Suryavanshi, who smashed 38 runs off just 22 balls with seven fours and a six. His aggressive batting overshadowed skipper Ayush Mhatre, who scored only six runs in their 50-run opening stand. Suryavanshi’s dismissal by Hayden Schiller gave Australia their first breakthrough, quickly followed by Charles Lachmund removing Mhatre and later dismissing Vihaan Malhotra for nine. At 75 for three in the 10th over, Australia sensed a chance.
However, Kundu and Trivedi dashed those hopes with a match-winning 152-run unbeaten partnership for the fourth wicket. Kundu scored a blistering 87 off 74 balls, striking five sixes and eight fours, while Trivedi anchored the chase with 61 off 69 deliveries, including eight boundaries. Their composed yet aggressive approach ensured India’s easy win.
Lachmund was the most successful bowler for Australia with two wickets for 46 runs, while Schiller picked up one wicket. As per agency report, the dominant Indian performance, highlighted by the explosive batting of Suryavanshi and the solid partnership between Kundu and Trivedi, gave the visitors a 1-0 lead in the Youth ODI series and left the hosts struggling to find answers on their home turf.
