India Under-19 registered a dominant 103-run victory over Australia Under-19 in the second Youth ODI at the Niranjan Shah Stadium, sealing an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series. The standout performer of the contest was Yashbardhan Chauhan, whose magnificent century set the foundation for a mammoth total before he returned to chip in with two crucial wickets with the ball.
Chauhan and Vineet Propel India to Massive 341 for 7
Batting first after winning the advantage, India received a brisk start from their top order. Aryaveer Sehwag adopted an aggressive approach from the outset, combining with skipper Lakshya Raichandani to post 46 runs for the opening wicket. Raichandani departed for 11, bringing VK Vineet to the crease. Sehwag and Vineet kept the scoreboard ticking with a 55-run stand for the second wicket until Sehwag was run out for a sharp 47, narrowly missing out on a half-century.
The momentum shifted decisively in India's favor through a dominant 132-run partnership between Yashbardhan Chauhan and Vineet for the third wicket. Chauhan paced his innings brilliantly, scoring 122 runs from 100 deliveries, studded with 15 boundaries and two sixes. Vineet provided powerful support from the other end, hammering 87 runs off 92 deliveries featuring four boundaries and six sixes. Anvay Dravid, who had impressed in the previous fixture with a quickfire 38 off 18 balls, had a quiet outing as he fell for just 9 runs. In the death overs, Kushagra Ojha provided the finishing flourish, smashing 34 off 20 balls with five fours and a six to lift India to a formidable 341 for 7 in 50 overs. For Australia, Thomas Vane-Tempest was the pick of the bowlers with 3 for 78, while Patrick Sullivan claimed 2 for 55.
Disciplined Bowling Attack Bowls Out Australia for 238
Chasing a steep target of 342, the Australian batting lineup wilted under scoreboard pressure and relentless Indian bowling. India deployed as many as seven bowling options to prevent the visitors from establishing any sustained partnerships. Mohit Ulva and Chigurupati Venkat struck early blows to put Australia on the back foot right from the start of the chase.
Captain Jack Chosnek fought valiantly with an 81-run knock off 63 deliveries, finding brief support from Matthew Lough (42) and Blake Kettle. However, consistent breakthroughs at the other end ensured that the required run rate kept escalating out of reach. Australia were ultimately bundled out for 238 in 41.1 overs. Venkat emerged as India's leading wicket-taker with figures of 3 for 64. Chauhan capped a memorable all-round display by claiming two wickets, matched by Kavya Patel's two scalps, while Ulva, Manal Chauhan, and Yashveer Gaur chipped in with a wicket each.
India Eye Sweep Ahead of Four-Day Youth Tests
India had earlier secured a narrow seven-run win in the rain-truncated, 20-over-a-side opening match of the series. With this resounding 103-run triumph in the second encounter, the hosts have captured the series with a match to spare. The third and final Youth ODI will take place on Wednesday, after which both squads will face each other in a two-match four-day Youth Test series.
