India colts beat Australia U19 to complete clean sweep in Youth ODIs

The Indian junior team had won the first and second Youth ODIs by seven and nine wickets respectively.

India U19 beats Australia U19 3-0 in three match youth ODI series. | Photo Credit: BCCI X

The India U-19 boys held their nerves in the final overs to eke out a seven-run victory over Australia in a high-scoring third Youth ODI, completing a 3-0 series sweep on Thursday. The Indian junior team had won the first and second Youth ODIs by seven and nine wickets respectively.

Batting first, India scored 324 for 8 riding on half-centuries from opener Rudra Patel (77 off 81 balls) and skipper Mohamed Amaan (71 off 72 balls). There were useful contributions from lower-order hitters like Hardik Raj (30 off 18 balls) and Chetan Sharma (18 not out off 9 balls) which took the team to a commanding position.

In reply, Australia was going strong at 241 for 2 in the 41st over with twin centurions -- skipper Oliver Peake (111) and Steven Hogan (104) -- adding 180 runs for the third-wicket stand but it finally could only manage 317 for 7 at the end of the stipulated 50 overs.

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It was slow left-arm orthodox spinner Hardik (3/55) and off-spinner Kiran Chormale (2/59), who were brilliant in the death overs as they removed the two set batters and also keeper Alex Lee Young in quick succession to orchestrate a mini-slump.

Once 241 for 2 became 267 for 5 by the end of the 45th over, India was back in the game like never before as it choked the run-flow towards the end.

While Aidan O’ Connor (35 off 20 balls) did use the long handle to a good effect, Bengal fast bowler Yudhajit Guha (2/40) bowled well enough in the last over to prevent the Aussies from crossing the finishing line.

Brief Scores:

India U-19 324/8 in 50 overs (Mohamed Amaan 71, Rudra Patel 77, Hardik Raj 30)

Australia 317/7 in 50 overs (Oliver Peake 111, Steven Hogan 104, Hardik Raj 3/55, Kiran Chormale 2/59)