The Indian Under 19 cricket team also won the third and final youth ‘One Day International’ (ODI) against Australia. The Indian team made the 3-0 win in the series played in Puducherry. India completed a clean sweep in the series after recording a 7-run win with a score of 324 in the last match. The Indian junior team won the first and second Youth ODIs by seven and nine wickets, respectively.

Indian cricketers emerged triumphant in a nail-biting encounter against Australia in the third youth ODI. Indians had a seven-run victory in the final game of the 3-0 series.

Batting first, India scored 324 for 8 with half-centuries from opener Rudra Patel (77 off 81 balls) and skipper Mohamed Amaan (71 off 72 balls). There were useful contributions from lower-order hitters like Hardik Raj (30 off 18 balls) and Chetan Sharma (18 not out off 9 balls) which took the team to a commanding position.

In the chase, Australians were strong at 241 for 2 at one stage; however, in the 41st over with twin centurions – skipper Oliver Peake (111) and Steven Hogan (104) – adding 180 runs for the third wicket stand. Finally, they could only manage 317 for 7 at the end of the stipulated 50 overs.

Slow left-arm orthodox spinner Hardik (3/55) and off-spinner Kiran Chormale (2/59) bowled brilliantly in the last overs. They removed the two set batters and keeper Alex Lee Young to orchestrate a mini-slump.

Once 241 for 2 became 267 for 5 by the end of the 45th over and India were back in the game. They choked the run-flow towards the end.

While Aidan O’Connor (35 off 20 balls) did use the long handle to good effect, Bengal fast bowler Yudhajit Guha (2/40) bowled well enough in the last over to prevent the Aussies from crossing the finishing line.

Brief Scores:

India: 324/8 in 50 overs (Mohamed Amaan 71, Rudra Patel 77, Hardik Raj 30). Bowling: Hardik Raj 3/55, Kiran Chormale 2/59, Yudhajit Guha 2/40.

Australia: 317/7 in 50 overs (Oliver Peake 111, Steven Hogan 104)