A breathtaking half-century from stand-in captain Vaibhav Suryavanshi and a four-wicket haul by Kishan Singh helped India Under-19 cricket team register an emphatic eight-wicket (DLS method) win over South Africa Under-19 cricket team in the rain-affected second Youth ODI at Willowmoore Park in Benoni on Monday.
With the victory, India secured an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series, providing a timely boost ahead of the ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup, which begins on January 15 in Zimbabwe and Namibia.
India laid the foundation for the win with a disciplined bowling performance. Kishan Singh was the standout bowler, returning impressive figures of 4 for 46, while RS Ambrish chipped in with two wickets. Their combined effort restricted the hosts to 245 runs inside the full quota of 50 overs, despite a lone resistance from South Africa’s Jason Rowles.
Rowles top-scored with a well-made 114, but he found little support from the other end as Indian bowlers struck at regular intervals. Wickets fell steadily, preventing South Africa from accelerating in the latter stages and keeping the total within reach on a surface that offered value for shots.
In reply, India’s chase was interrupted by rain and lightning, leading to a revised target of 174 runs from 27 overs under the Duckworth–Lewis–Stern method. Any pressure from the adjusted equation was swiftly erased by Suryavanshi, who produced a sensational display of power-hitting at the top of the order.
The 14-year-old blazed his way to 68 off just 24 balls, smashing one four and an astonishing 10 sixes. In the process, he reached his half-century off only 15 deliveries, setting a new record for the fastest fifty in youth ODIs. Suryavanshi already holds the record for the fastest hundred in the format, underlining his growing reputation as one of the most exciting young batters in world cricket.
After his dismissal, India remained firmly in control. Vedant Trivedi, who finished unbeaten on 31, and Abhigyan Kundu, not out on 48, stitched together an unbroken 81-run partnership for the third wicket. Their calm and composed stand guided India to the target in just the 24th over, sealing a comprehensive win.
The third and final Youth ODI will be played at the same venue on Wednesday, giving India an opportunity to complete a clean sweep as they fine-tune preparations for the upcoming World Cup.
