Australia’s youth under-19 team had to settle for the continuation of the ODI series in Rajkot as India put on a stellar display to secure a second victory with a 103-run win. The win had reserved India a series win with the final game left to play, whereas Australia’s chase fell short of the target.
Visitors faced just one resistance to their innings in Jack Czosnek. The Australian captain, who was aiming to score 81 from 63 balls, failed to match the regular wicket-falling at the other end. Matthew Lough helped Australia to 42 but the hosts were bowled out for 238 in 41.1 overs.
The Indian bowling attack was made up of a number of players and not a single spell. Chigurupati Venkata picked up three wickets for 64 runs and Kavya Patel and Yashbardhan Chauhan claimed two apiece. Mohit Ulva and Manal Chauhan were followed by Yashveer Goud in taking the other two wickets.
In the first innings the match was already going Indians’ way. The hosts built up a strong lead with Chauhan and VK Vineeth helping them reach 341 for seven. Their 3rd wicket partnership of 132 runs put India on a surging footing to start their innings.
The century was the highlight of the innings by Chauhan. He hit 15 fours and two sixes in 122 deliveries while Vineeth found the boundary in 87 balls with six sixes. They formed a partnership which enabled India to strike in the late stages.
Kushagra Ojha added more to build up the pressure with a 20-ball 34 which featured five 4s and a 6. Aaryavir Sehwang had also contributed an aggressive 47 off 48 balls to set up the early pace of the innings, earlier.
Sehwag, son of former India opener Virender Sehwag, hit nine fours while he was at the crease. With Lakshya Raichandani and another 55 before he was run out, he had put India in good hands.
The victory came after India secured seven-run victory in the first Youth ODI played under 20 overs due to rain. The third match will be played on Wednesday followed by a four-day Youth Test series to be played in two matches.
Australia (QAF) Thomas Vaseo took three wickets for 78 runs and Patrick Sullivan took two wickets. But their efforts did not yield anything to thwart India’s bid to gain a comfortable lead in the series.