India Under-19 secures series lead after rain-affected Benoni thriller
India’s junior cricketers continued their dominant run on South African soil, securing a convincing eight-wicket victory in the second Youth ODI at Willowmoore Park. This triumph gives the visitors an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series, providing a massive boost ahead of the upcoming World Cup. While the match saw interruptions due to lightning and rain, the spotlight remained firmly on a breathtaking batting display that left the local bowlers searching for answers.
Suryavanshi’s Record-Breaking Blitz
Chasing a revised target of 174 in 27 overs under the DLS method, 14-year-old sensation Vaibhav Suryavanshi turned the game into a personal highlight reel. The young opener played a knock for the ages, smashing 68 runs off just 24 deliveries. His innings was defined by raw power, featuring a staggering 10 sixes and just a single boundary. During this whirlwind performance, Suryavanshi reportedly shattered records for the fastest half-century in Youth ODI history, reaching the milestone in a mere 15 balls and surpassing the previous record held by Rishabh Pant.
Bowling Discipline and Middle-Order Calm
Earlier in the day, the Indian bowlers set the foundation for the win. Kishan Singh was the standout performer with the ball, tearing through the South African top order to finish with impressive figures of 4/46. Despite a valiant century from South Africa's Jason Rowles, who scored 114 to guide the hosts to a total of 245, the Indian attack kept the pressure high throughout the 50 overs. RS Ambrish also contributed significantly, picking up two crucial wickets.
Once Suryavanshi departed, the duo of Abhigyan Kundu and Vedant Trivedi showed great maturity to navigate the remaining chase. Kundu remained unbeaten on 48, while Trivedi anchored the other end with a steady 31 not out. They ensured there were no further hiccups, reaching the target with 21 balls to spare. This clinical performance by the India Under-19 vs South Africa Under-19 squad highlights the depth of talent in the current roster as they prepare to defend their reputation on the world stage later this month.
