IND U-19 vs AUS U-19: Vaibhav sizzles as India U-19 makes a strong start in Youth Test

On a hot and humid day, India U-19 opener Vaibhav Suryavanshi (81 batting, 47b, 13×4, 2×6) turned up the heat with exquisite stroke play around the ground to put India in a dominant position at 103 for no loss against Australia U-19 on day one of the first Youth test series here at the M.A. Chidambaram stadium on Monday.

Earlier, India’s bowlers led by leg-spinner Mohamed Enaan (17-2-48-3) and pacers N. Samarth (13.4-4-49-3) and Aditya Rawat (10-1-50-2) bowled out Australia for 293 in its first innings.

After winning the toss and electing to bat, Australia got a decent start from its openers before left-arm spinner Aditya Singh removed Steve Hogan in the 11^th over, trapping him right in front of the stumps.

Riley Kingsell (53, 77b, 9×4, 1×6) and Oliver Peake (29) looked confident in the middle as they steadied the innings adding 57 runs for the second wicket before India skipper Soham Patwardhan dismissed the well-set Riley.

Australia suffered a mini-collapse just before lunch as it was reduced to 121 for four. Enaan dismissed Zac Curtain courtesy of a sharp low catch at silly point by Nitya Pandya and Samarth had Oliver caught behind.

India got a double wicket breakthrough in the second session as Enaan picked up Australia skipper Simon Budge and Addison Sheriff in quick succession.

However, Christian Howe (48, 89b, 6×4) and Aidan O’Connor (61, 70b, 7×4, 2×6) brought the visitors back into the contest with a 98-run seventh-wicket stand before Aditya dismissed Howe in the 64^th over and O’Connor in the 66^th.

With only a couple of batters remaining, Samarth cleaned up the tail as Vaibhav took over and asserted his authority in India’s reply.  

The scores: Aus U-19 (Riley Kingsell 53, Christian Howe 48, Aidan O’Connor 61, Md. Enaan 3/48, N. Samarth 3/49) vs Ind U-19 103/0 in 14 overs (Vaibhav Suryavanshi 81 batting). Toss: Australia.