India Under-19s Demolish Australia in Two Days to Complete 2-0 Series Sweep
India Under-19s wrapped up a dominant four-day series against Australia Under-19s with a crushing seven-wicket win in Mackay, sealing a 2-0 sweep after dismantling the hosts inside two days.
Led by a ruthless bowling display from Henil Patel, Naman Pushpak, and Udhav Mohan, India bowled Australia out for just 116 in their second innings, setting up a modest target of 81 runs. The visitors made light work of the chase, reaching the total in just 12.2 overs, losing three wickets along the way.
After winning the first Test in Brisbane by an innings and 58 runs, India carried that momentum into the second match. The bowlers dominated throughout, with seamers and spinners combining to expose Australia's batting vulnerabilities once again.
Australia Falter with the Bat Again
Australia’s batting frailties were laid bare in both innings. In the first, only wicketkeeper-batter Alex Lee Young offered resistance, scoring a valiant 66 in a total of 135. In the second innings, he top-scored again with 38, but found no meaningful support as Australia crumbled to 116 all out.
Henil Patel was instrumental with figures of 3 for 21 and 3 for 23 in the two innings, finishing with six wickets in the match. He was well supported by Pushpak (3 for 19 in the second innings) and Mohan (2 for 22), while Khilan Patel, the left-arm spinner, also played a key role in the first innings with 3 for 23.
India's Batting Holds Firm
India, resuming day two at 144 for 7 in their first innings, extended their lead through Deepesh Devendran’s fighting 28, eventually reaching 171 to take a crucial 36-run advantage. Kasey Barton led the Australian bowling effort with 4 for 57, while Charles Lachmund, Will Byrom, and Julian Osbourne shared the remaining wickets.
In pursuit of 81 for victory, India’s top order stumbled early. Lachmund dismissed Vaibhav Suryavanshi for a golden duck in the first over, and Barton removed captain Ayush Mhatre (13) and later Vihaan Malhotra (21). But Vedant Trivedi (33* off 35) and Rahul Kumar (13* off 14) guided India to the finish line with calm assurance.
Series Sweep for India
India chased down the target in just 12.2 overs to seal a comprehensive 2-0 victory in the red-ball series, having earlier swept the one-day series 3-0 as well.
The tour showcased the depth and discipline of India's young talent. Henil Patel emerged as a standout with six wickets in Mackay, while spinners Pushpak and Khilan Patel combined for seven wickets. Australia, on the other hand, struggled for consistency with the bat, despite the promising efforts of Alex Lee Young and Kasey Barton, who finished with six wickets in the match.
Score Summary
India Under-19s: 171 (Devendran 28, Barton 4-57) & 84/3 (Trivedi 33*, Barton 2-32)
Australia Under-19s: 135 (Young 66, Henil 3-21, Khilan 3-23) & 116 (Young 38, Pushpak 3-19, Henil 3-23)
Result: India U-19s won by 7 wickets and swept the series 2-0.
India's Under-19 team will leave Australia with a flawless record on tour, having outplayed the hosts in all formats and conditions—a commanding statement from the next generation of Indian cricket.