India’s Under-19 cricket team continued their dominance in the three-match youth ODI series against Australia, securing an unassailable 2-0 lead with a comprehensive nine-wicket victory in the second match.
Opener Sahil Parakh played a pivotal role in India’s triumph, smashing an aggressive unbeaten century (109 not out off 75 balls) to guide his team to the target of 177 in just 22 overs. Parakh’s innings was studded with 14 boundaries and 5 sixes, showcasing his exceptional power-hitting abilities.
The Indian bowlers had earlier restricted Australia to a modest total of 176 all out in 49.3 overs. Karnataka medium pacer Samarth Nagaraj (2/34), Kerala leg-spinner Mohammed Enaan (2/30), and off-spinner Kiran Chormale (2/29) shared six wickets among them to stifle the Australian batting lineup.
Several Australian batters made starts but failed to convert them into substantial scores. Addison Sheriff (39 off 61 balls) was the top-scorer for the visitors, but his efforts were not enough to prevent India from taking a commanding lead in the series.
Abhigyan Kundu (53 not out off 50 balls) provided valuable support to Parakh, stitching together a match-winning partnership of 153 runs. Kundu’s innings featured nine boundaries, demonstrating his ability to rotate the strike and keep the scoreboard ticking.
With the series already in their grasp, India will be looking to complete a clean sweep in the inconsequential third match on Thursday. The teams will then travel to Chennai for two unofficial ‘Tests’ starting from September 30.
