India U19 started their five-match Youth ODI series against England U19 with a dominant six-wicket win, led by a brilliant knock from opener Vaibhav Suryavanshi. The 14-year-old hit 48 runs from just 19 balls, helping his team chase down 175 runs in only 24 overs at the County Ground on Friday.
Suryavanshi’s explosive innings included five sixes and three fours. His strike rate of 252.63 put India in a strong position early in the match. He partnered with captain Ayush Mhatre for a 71-run stand for the first wicket. Mhatre added 21 runs from 30 balls, hitting four boundaries before getting out in the eighth over.
The English side had earlier set a target of 175 after getting bowled out in 43 overs. Rocky Flintoff top-scored for them with 56 runs from 90 balls, while Issac Mohammed chipped in with a quick 42 from 28 balls.
India’s bowlers worked as a strong unit. Kanishk Chouhan was the pick of the lot, taking 3 wickets for just 20 runs in his full quota of 10 overs. He even bowled a maiden. Henil Patel, RS Ambrish, and Mohamed Enan each took two wickets and helped keep the English side under pressure.
England’s innings started slow and never fully recovered. Wickets fell regularly, and the Indian bowlers kept the run rate in check. Though Flintoff tried to anchor the innings, he found little support from the middle and lower order.
Chasing 175, India’s young batters showed no signs of pressure. Suryavanshi began the chase with confidence, striking boundaries at will. His fast start took the game away from England early.
After Suryavanshi and Mhatre’s opening partnership, the middle order finished the job. Abhigyan Kundu played a calm and mature knock, scoring 45 runs from 34 balls. He remained unbeaten and ensured India crossed the finish line with ease.
Among England’s bowlers, AM French was the most successful. He took two wickets in his six-over spell, giving away 46 runs. Jack Home and Ralphie Albert picked up one wicket each, but their efforts weren’t enough to stop India’s strong batting display.
India reached the target in just 24 overs, with six wickets in hand. The win gave them a 1-0 lead in the five-match series and boosted their confidence for the next games.
The bowling attack laid the foundation for the win, but it was Suryavanshi’s fearless batting that stood out. His powerful shots and fast scoring rate put pressure on England from the start. It was a performance that showed both skill and intent, despite his young age.
This match also highlighted India’s team balance. From bowlers like Chouhan and Enan to batters like Kundu, each player played a role. Their teamwork and planning paid off well in all departments.
England will need to bounce back quickly in the next match. While Flintoff and Mohammed showed some fight with the bat, the rest of the lineup needs to step up. Their bowlers also need to find better lines and lengths to stop India’s aggressive top order.
India U19 now leads the Youth ODI series 1-0. With four matches still to go, both teams have time to adjust and improve. But this opening game has made it clear that India has depth, talent, and momentum on their side.
