Yashbardhan Chauhan’s 122 and VK Vineeth’s 87 shaped a massive 103-run victory for India in the second Youth ODI against Australia as the hosts took an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match U-19 series on Monday. Riding on Chauhan’s ton, Vineeth’s half-century and vital contributions from Aaryavir Sehwag (47) and Kushagra Ojha (34), India U-19 posted a huge first-innings total of 341 for seven at the Niranjan Shah Stadium. In reply, the visitors were shot out for a mere 238 in 41.1 overs.
The third and final Youth ODI will be played on Wednesday before the two teams face-off in a two-match series for four-day Youth Tests. India had won the rain-truncated opening Youth ODI, which was reduced to 20-overs-per-side affair, by seven runs. Son of legendary India opener Virender Sehwag, Aaryavir produced a fiery 48-ball 47 with nine fours, laying a great platform for India to build a big score, much like his father often did during his playing career. In their reply, Australia U-19 were rocked early once each by Ulva and Venkat, and even as Matthew Lough (42), skipper Jack Czosnek (81 off 63 balls), and Blake Cattle tried to rebuild their innings, the score proved beyond the visitors.
The wicketkeeper-batter fell for a mere nine in a bid to up the scoring rate late in the Indian innings. But it was a forgettable outing for Anvay Dravid, who had smacked a valuable 18-ball 38 in the first match.
