Kundu, Trivedi Shine As India U19 Beat Australia U19 By Seven Wickets In Youth ODI Opener

Kundu, Trivedi shine as India U19 beat Australia U19 by seven wickets in Youth ODI opener (Image Source: IANS)

Ian Healy Oval: Unbeaten fifties by Abhigyan Kundu and Vedant Trivedi powered India U19 to a commanding seven-wicket win over Australia U19 in the first Youth ODI at the Ian Healy Oval on Sunday.

Wicketkeeper-batter Kundu, who was later adjudged Player of the Match, struck a fluent 87 off 74 balls, laced with five sixes and eight fours, while Trivedi chipped in with a composed 61 off 69 deliveries, studded with eight boundaries. Their unbroken 152-run partnership for the fourth wicket was key to India chasing 226 with 117 balls to spare, especially after a brief wobble early.

India’s chase began in a great fashion with 14-year-old Vaibhav Suryavanshi smashing a blistering 38 off just 22 balls, laced with seven fours. His aggressive strokeplay overshadowed skipper Ayush Mhatre’s six-run contribution in a 50-run opening stand, before both fell in quick succession to Hayden Schiller and Charles Lachmund, respectively.

Vihaan Malhotra was dismissed soon after for nine, leaving India at 75/3 in the 10th over. But Trivedi and Kundu resurrected the innings with maturity and flair, ensuring Australia’s hopes of a comeback in the game were short-lived by taking India home safely.

Earlier, after electing to bat, Australia could only manage to post 225/9, thanks to a disciplined bowling effort from India. Henil Patel led the attack with figures of 3-38, while Kanishk Chouhan (2-39), Kishan Kumar (2-59), and RS Ambrish (1-50) were amongst the wicket-takers.

The only noteworthy knock from Australia’s innings was by John James, who counterattacked with an unbeaten 77 off 68 balls, hitting six fours and a six after Australia slumped to 35/4 and later was at 107/6, while Tom Hogan (41) and Steven Hogan (39) were other contributors, but struggled to score at a quick pace.

India now lead the Youth ODI series 1-0, with the next match scheduled to be held at the same venue on Wednesday.

The only noteworthy knock from Australia’s innings was by John James, who counterattacked with an unbeaten 77 off 68 balls, hitting six fours and a six after Australia slumped to 35/4 and later was at 107/6, while Tom Hogan (41) and Steven Hogan (39) were other contributors, but struggled to score at a quick pace.

Australia 225/9 in 50 overs (John James 77 not out, Tom Hogan 41; Henil Patel 3-38, Kanishk Chouhan 2-39) lost to India 227/3 in 30.3 overs (Abhigyan Kunda 87 not out, Vedant Trivedi 61 not out; Charles Lachmund 2-46, Hayden Schiller 1-59) by seven wickets

Article Source: IANS