Young Indian cricketers dominate South Africa to clinch series victory
India’s youth brigade showcased a masterclass in modern-day cricket, dismantling South Africa Under-19 by a staggering 233 runs in the third Youth ODI at Benoni. This emphatic win on January 7, 2026, allowed the visitors to complete a perfect 3-0 series whitewash, proving their superiority in every department of the game.
Record-Breaking Opening Stand
After being asked to bat first, the Indian openers turned the Willowmoore Park into a hitting zone. Captain Vaibhav Sooryavanshi played a captain’s knock that left the spectators in awe. He hammered 127 runs off only 74 deliveries, a whirlwind innings punctuated by 10 massive sixes and 9 fours. Complementing his aggression was Aaron George, who played a more measured but equally effective innings of 118 from 106 balls.
Their massive 227-run opening partnership set the foundation for a skyscraper total. Despite a mid-innings wobble where the middle order struggled to maintain the same tempo, India finished with a daunting 393/7 in their allotted 50 overs. South African bowler Ntando Soni was the pick of the hosts' attack, claiming three wickets, though he proved expensive against the Indian onslaught.
South African Collapse
Chasing a mountain of 394 runs, the South African chase never really took off. They were rocked early by a fiery spell from Kishan Singh. The Indian pacer was nearly unplayable, removing the top three batters almost immediately and finishing with figures of 3/15. At one point, the hosts were reeling at a disastrous 15/4.
While Daniel Bosman (40) and Paul James (41) offered some resistance in the middle overs, it was far from enough to threaten the Indian total. The visitors' bowling unit remained relentless, with Mohamed Enaan picking up two wickets and skipper Sooryavanshi adding a wicket to his batting heroics.
South Africa was eventually bundled out for 160 in just 35 overs. This comprehensive victory highlights the incredible talent pool in Indian cricket, as the Under-19 squad returns home with a prestigious series trophy and a clean record on South African soil.
