NEW DELHI: India’s Under-19 team began their five-match Youth ODI series against England in emphatic fashion, cruising to a six-wicket win at Hove. Chasing 175, the visitors wrapped up the game in just 24 overs, thanks to a blistering debut knock from 14-year-old sensation Vaibhav Suryavanshi.Suryavanshi, who became the youngest centurion in men’s T20s during this year’s IPL for Rajasthan Royals, lit up the County Ground with a 19-ball 48, hammering five sixes and three fours. His explosive innings set the tone for India’s dominance and earned him the spotlight on his first outing in English conditions.
The teenager shared a 71-run stand in just 7.3 overs with skipper Ayush Mhatre before holing out to Ralphie Albert after an electric cameo. After the match, Suryavanshi posted a photo with the team’s sports massage therapist, Mangesh Gaikwad, accompanied by the inspiring track Aashayein from the movie Iqbal.Despite a mini-collapse after Suryavanshi’s departure, wicketkeeper-batter Abhigyan Kundu anchored the chase with an unbeaten 45, ensuring India crossed the finish line with a massive 26 overs to spare.
Earlier, England chose to bat but were skittled out for 174 in 42.2 overs. Debutant Isaac Mohammed shone briefly with a rapid 28-ball 42, which included four sixes and three fours, while Rocky Flintoff top-scored with a gritty 56. However, consistent breakthroughs derailed England’s innings, with little support for the pair.India’s spinners, Mohamed Enaan and Kanishk Chouhan, combined for five wickets and applied the brakes throughout the middle overs. The bowlers were backed up by sharp fielding, including a run-out and some well-judged catches.The dominant win follows India’s 231-run demolition of a Young Lions Invitational XI at Loughborough earlier in the week, extending their commanding run on the tour.
