India U19 take 2-0 series lead as Suryavanshi breaks sixes record

India's Under 19 cricket team sealed the three-match Youth ODI series in Brisbane on Wednesday, defeating Australia Under 19 by 51 runs in the second game after a seven-wicket win in the opener to take an unassailable 2-0 lead. The matches, played at the Ian Healy Oval, showcased a string of dominant performances from India’s batting and bowling units and produced a new youth-era record for teenage left-hander Vaibhav Suryavanshi.

India chased 226 inside 31 overs in the series opener on September 21, with wicketkeeper Abhigyan Kundu unbeaten on 87 and Vedant Trivedi 61 not out putting on an unbroken 152-run fourth-wicket stand. Suryavanshi provided the aggressive impetus at the top, striking 38 off 22 balls. Australia had been restricted to 225 for nine, with John James the top scorer for the hosts with an unbeaten 77. Match reports highlighted a superb early fielding moment for India when Vihaan Malhotra took a low catch at second slip to remove Australia opener Alex Turner off the first ball.

In the second ODI on September 24 India batted first and posted 300 in 49.4 overs. Suryavanshi led the charge with a measured 70 off 68 balls, while Vihaan Malhotra and Kundu also scored...