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India inflicted a 3-0 series whitewash on South Africa after claiming a massive 233-run win in the third and final Youth ODI in Benoni and warmed up in style for the upcoming Under-19 World Cup. The India U-19 team outplayed their African counterparts in all three departments to complete a comprehensive series sweep.
The platform for India's huge win was laid by the opening duo of Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and Aaron George, who smashed magnificent centuries and stitched a sensational opening stand of 227 runs in just 25.3 overs as India U19 posted a gigantic total of 393 for 7 in 50 overs.
In reply, the hosts lost their first four wickets inside five overs and were eventually dismissed for 160 in 35 overs. Kishan Kumar Singh was the pick of the Indian bowlers with superb figures of 3/15 in 4 overs. Mohamed Enaan also bowled well for his two wickets.
Earlier, Sooryavanshi, the Bihar batting sensation, continued his red-hot form in Youth cricket with a 63-ball century. His 74-ball 127 comprised nine fours and 10 maximums. Thanks to the stunning ton, he became the youngest captain in Youth ODIs history to reach the triple-digit score, aged just 14 years and 9 months.
His opening partner, George, was equally impressive. The promising youngster, who was one of the top performers for the Boys in Blue in the U-19 Asia Cup last month, played outstandingly well for his 118-run knock, which was studded with 16 boundaries.
South Africa U19 captain Muhammed Bulbulia's decision to field first came back to haunt his team as Indian batters made short work of the hosts' bowling attack.
Sooryavanshi, captaining the side in the absence of Ayush Mhatre, led from the front in the second ODI on Monday, too. India U19 skipper Sooryavanshi played with typical aggression and scored 68 off just 24 balls to help the visitors chase down a revised target of 174 in 23.3 overs, winning by eight wickets via the DLS method.
The Boys in Blue won the first game by 25 runs via the DLS method.
The South Africa series serves as a tune-up for the Indian team ahead of the U-19 World Cup, which begins on January 15 in Zimbabwe and Namibia.
