India Under-19 captain Yashbardhan Singh Chauhan produced a six-wicket haul as his side completed a dominant innings-and-48-run victory over Australia Under-19 in the opening Youth Test at the Niranjan Shah Stadium on Tuesday.
The hosts wrapped up the contest on the third day after building a commanding 277-run first-innings lead. Australia, needing a strong response to stay in the match, were bowled out for 229 barely an hour after Tea.
Yashbardhan led India’s attack with figures of six for 75, while left-arm spinner Ishan Om claimed four for 62 as the pair accounted for all 10 Australian wickets.
Earlier, Lakshya Raichandani and Mohit Ulva had put India firmly in control with a remarkable 180-run partnership for the ninth wicket. Lakshya struck 240 from 281 balls, hitting 24 fours and four sixes, while Mohit scored a brisk 92 off 84 deliveries with 10 fours and four sixes.
Resuming on 430 for eight, India added another 64 runs before being dismissed for 494. Lakshya missed out on his maiden 250 by just 10 runs, while Mohit fell eight runs short of a maiden century.
Facing a huge deficit, Australia quickly found themselves in trouble at 17 for three. Neel Patel attempted to rebuild the innings with a patient 41 from 78 balls, including six boundaries, but Yashbardhan ended his resistance by bowling him.
Blake Cattle provided Australia’s strongest response. After scoring a century in the first innings, he followed it with an attacking 123 from 114 deliveries, striking 16 fours and four sixes.
With wickets falling regularly at the other end, Cattle counter-attacked the Indian spinners before eventually becoming another victim of Yashbardhan.
Ishan, who had already taken five wickets in Australia’s first innings, continued his impressive match with four more crucial dismissals. Yashbardhan maintained the pressure from the other end as Australia’s batting line-up failed to withstand India’s spin attack in the heat.
The emphatic victory gives India Under-19 a 1-0 advantage in the two-match Youth Test series.
