The future looks bright! India colts show utter dominance to sweep Australia tour
Stars of today, superstars of tomorrow: India U-19 team demolish Australia down under in a dominating performance in white-ball and red-ball series.
New Delhi: Indian cricket's future is in good hands! If the dominant whitewash of the Australians in their own backyard is not enough proof to back that claim, then what is? The Ayush Mhatre-led India U-19 squad completely outplayed the Australia U-19 in both white-ball and red-ball legs to complete a clean sweep. The sensational win by India's young brigade is more than a victory. It is a sign of things to come.
The Boys in Blue completed their clean sweep with a seven-wicket win in the second and final Youth Test in Mackay on Wednesday.
Despite being bundled out for 171 in the first innings, India still managed to eke out a 36-run lead and then bowled the Aussies out for 116. Chasing an 81-run target, India lost their star openers, Mhatre and Vaibhav Suryavanshi, early in the chase but still romped home in 12.2 overs.
Vedant Trivedi played a brisk knock of 33 not out to see his team home. The Gujarat batter has been a revelation on the Australia tour, emerging as the highest run-getter in both the youth ODI and Test series.
Stars of today, superstars of tomorrow!
After scoring 173 runs in three innings at an average of 86.50, Vedant continued his superb form in the red-ball format as well. In three innings, Vedant scored 198 runs at an astonishing average of 99.00.
Suryavanshi, who is the youngest IPL centurion at 14, also showed his batting prowess down under, scoring 133 runs in 3 innings in the youth Test series at an average close to 45. In the white-ball series, he was the third-highest run-getter with 124 runs in three innings at a good average of 41.33.
Abhigyan Abhishek Kundu also impressed in the white-ball series with an aggregate of 158 runs in two innings, averaging an extraordinary 158.00.
With the ball, Tamil Nadu pacer Deepesh Devendran finished as the highest wicket-taker with 10 wickets in four innings. Gujarat duo Khilan Patel and Helin Patel were the second and third highest wicket-takers in youth Tests with eight and six wickets respectively.
Not only did India win all five matches (three Youth ODIs and two Youth Tests) on the Australian tour, but they also won all the matches comprehensively.
A glance below at the margin of wins paints a clear picture of India's utter dominance.
Australia U19 vs India U19, 1st Youth ODI - India U19 won by 7 wickets
Australia U19 vs India U19, 2nd Youth ODI- India U19 won by 51 runs
Australia U19 vs India U19, 3rd Youth ODI - India U19 won by 167 runs
Australia U19 vs India U19, 1st Youth Test - India U19 won by an innings and 58 runs
Australia U19 vs India U19, 2nd Youth Test - India U19 won by 7 wickets
The Indian men's senior team will look to take inspiration from the young brigade when they tour down under for a white-ball series starting September 19.
Stats courtesy: ESPNcricinfo