India’s Under-19 cricket team displayed resilience and determination to secure a thrilling two-wicket victory over their Australian counterparts in the first Youth Test match at the M.A. Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai.
Chasing a challenging target of 212 on a turning pitch, India faced early setbacks as off-spinner Thomas Brown dismissed Vaibhav Suryavanshi and pacer Addison Sheriff removed Vihaan Malhotra, leaving the hosts struggling at 25 for two.
However, Nitya Pandya (51) and K.P. Karthikeya (35) steadied the innings with a 71-run partnership for the third wicket. Karthikeya’s dismissal to leg-spinner Vishwa Ramkumar brought about a collapse, with Nitya and skipper Soham Patwardhan falling in quick succession.
With India reeling at 113 for five, Abhigyan Kundu and Nikhil Kumar (55 not out) forged a crucial 49-run stand for the sixth wicket. Aidan O’Connor dismissed Kundu, but Kumar and Enaan (12) kept the scoreboard ticking.
Vishwa Ramkumar’s dismissal of Enaan left India on the brink of defeat, but Kumar and N. Samarth (43) combined for a match-winning 43-run eighth-wicket partnership. Kumar remained unbeaten on 55, guiding India to victory with just 61.1 overs played.
Earlier, Soham Patwardhan’s three wickets had helped India restrict Australia to 214 in their second innings. Mohamed Enaan’s six-wicket haul in the first innings had given India a slender 24-run lead.
