India U19 secured a convincing seven-wicket victory against Australia U19 in the first Youth ODI at the Ian Healy Oval, driven by unbeaten half-centuries from Abhigyan Kundu and Vedant Trivedi.Player of the Match Kundu, the wicketkeeper-batter, scored an impressive 87 off 74 balls with five sixes and eight fours. Trivedi contributed a steady 61 off 69 balls, including eight boundaries.Their partnership of 152 runs for the fourth wicket proved decisive in India’s successful chase of 226, which they completed with 117 balls remaining.
The Indian innings started strongly with 14-year-old Vaibhav Suryavanshi scoring a quick 38 from 22 balls with seven fours. He shared a 50-run opening stand with captain Ayush Mhatre, who made six runs.Both openers fell quickly to Hayden Schiller and Charles Lachmund. Vihaan Malhotra’s dismissal for nine left India at 75/3 in the tenth over.Kundu and Trivedi then stabilised the innings, ensuring a comfortable victory for India.Australia, batting first, managed 225/9 in their innings. The Indian bowlers maintained discipline throughout, with Henil Patel taking 3-38. Kanishk Chouhan claimed 2-39, Kishan Kumar 2-59, and RS Ambrish 1-50.John James led Australia’s resistance with an unbeaten 77 off 68 balls, including six fours and a six. His innings came after Australia struggled at 35/4 and later 107/6.Tom Hogan scored 41 and Steven Hogan made 39, though both found it difficult to increase the scoring rate.India have taken a 1-0 lead in the Youth ODI series. The next match will be played at the same venue on Wednesday.Brief scores: 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
