Mohamed Enaan (23-4-79-6) unleashed chaos before Nikhil Kumar (55*, 3x4, 4x6) and Nitya J. Pandya (51, 3x4) stood tall against an inspired Australia U-19, guiding India U-19 to a nerve-wracking two-wicket victory on day three of the first Youth Test at the M.A. Chidambaram Stadium on Wednesday.
Nikhil’s invaluable, unbeaten half-century was composed and calculated, with no celebrations until the job was done.
Chasing 212, India was immediately pushed onto the back foot, courtesy of a spirited Australian bowling attack that kept the Indian batters under constant pressure. First-innings centurion Vaibhav Suryavanshi was dismissed after playing just three balls, becoming Thomas Brown’s first victim in the second over. Brown’s sharp delivery Suryavanshi to nick behind to keeper Simon Budge.
Vice-captain Vihaan Malhotra was next to fall, undone by Aidan O’Connor’s skiddy delivery, resulting in a half-hearted block and a simple return catch for the bowler.
Pandya and Karthikeya KP then steadied the Indian innings with a 71-run association for the third wicket. However, Australia’s trump card, Vishwa Ramkumar, trapped Karthikeya in front to break the stand.
O’Connor and Ramkumar combined to wreak further havoc, reducing India from 96/2 to 113/5. The Australians were in command, but Nikhil held his ground. He forged a crucial 49-run partnership with keeper Abhigyan Kundu for the sixth wicket, followed by a 43-run stand with Samarth N for the eighth wicket, keeping Australia at bay.
With just two runs needed for the win, O’Connor trapped Samarth lbw, leaving India eight down. New batter Aditya Singh survived three deliveries before Nikhil sealed the win by dancing down the track and driving a boundary down the ground.
Earlier, on a day where spinners ruled the roost — accounting for 10 out of 14 wickets — Enaan charmed his way for a six-wicket haul, adding four scalps to his tally from the previous day.
Australia, resuming with a 107-run lead, could only add 104 runs to its total of 110/4.
Overnight batters Christian Howe and Budge showed positive intent early on. Howe chipped Aditya over mid-on for a boundary in the first over, while Budge lofted a six off him in his second over.
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However, Aditya soon had Budge stumped when he missed a slog sweep, though the batter returned as it was a no-ball.
Soham Patwardhan brought himself into the attack and it immediately proved pivotal. Howe, attempting to charge down the track, mistimed a shot that was caught by Karthikeya at mid-off, ending his resistance.
Over the next 11 overs, Enaan claimed three wickets — Budge, Addison Sheriff, and Brown. He had impeccable control and made full use of a rough patch on the pitch. His wicket-to-wicket line consistently troubled the Australian batters.
India’s Mohamed Enaan bowls a delivery during the third day of the 1st unofficial test cricket match between India U-19 and Australia U-19. | Photo Credit: R SENTHILKUMAR
O’Connor briefly counterattacked, hitting three boundaries and two sixes, but Enaan’s sharp bowling induced an edge that was brilliantly caught by a diving Pandya at silly point.
Soham wrapped up the innings by ending Ramkumar and Hayden Schiller’s 33-ball resistance, with Australia all out for 214.
India U-19 head coach Hrishikesh Kanitkar praised both teams for their efforts in what turned out to be a thrilling contest. “It was a fabulous match. Both teams have a lot to gain from this. There are plenty of areas to reflect on, work on, and improve, which is the case with all U-19 cricketers. But having a result at the end, with both teams fighting till the very last moment, really helps everyone step up,” Kanitkar said after the match.
This marked India’s first Youth Test in five years, offering a significant opportunity for the young players. Kanitkar highlighted the importance of this platform, especially for those who missed out on the U-19 World Cup team.
“A few of our guys who couldn’t make it to the World Cup team and they played the One Days in Pondicherry so it gives them a chance to show their worth because U-19 is a stage after which you’re out in the open. So here is a chance where you can get confidence, and learn a lot of things but also get noticed by people that’s why it’s very important that people get chances and that’s why India doesn’t field the same players in the World Cups if even they are eligible. It is a good system and it really works and it keeps everyone going forward,” Kanitkar added.
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