India Under-19 cricket team suffered a 7-wicket loss in the fifth Youth ODI against England Under-19 on Monday at the New Road, Worcester, but had already clinched the series, taking an unassailable lead by winning three games in their tour of England 2025.
After winning the toss, India captain Ayush Mhatre opted to bat first. However, he must have regretted the decision soon the team could conjure just 210/9 in 50 overs which the hosts chased down with ease in only 31.1 overs.
India endured a disastrous start, losing skipper Ayush Mhatre (1) and Vihaan Malhotra (1) inside three overs with the scoreboard reading 9.
Teen sensation Vaibhav Suryavanshi who made history in the fourth game scoring the fastest ever Youth ODI century from 52 balls steadied the ship for sometime with his 33 off 42 but could not produce his attacking prowess departing after striking only three fours and two sixes during his brief stay. His partnership of 51 runs with Rahul Kumar (21) somehow helped India build their innings.
Rahul Kumar too didn't last long, handing a catch to BJ Dawkins off the bowing of Green.
Wickets continued to tumble for India as wicketkeeper Harvnash Pangalia (24), Kanishk Chauhan (24) and Deepesh Devendran (0) were dismissed in quick succession.
RS Ambrish turned out to be the lone bright spot in India's batting department as he held one end up with a gritty 66 off 81 balls with the help of six boundaries.
The English bowlers got the better of the Indian batting as they restricted the visitors to a below-par total.
Chasing the paltry score, England rode on Ben Mayes' unbeaten 82, BJ Dawkins' 66 and skipper Thomas Rew's unbeaten 37-ball 49 to overhaul the target easily.
Mayes struck 11 boundaries and one six during his 76-ball knock, while Dawkins hit nine fours and three hits over the fence in his 53-ball stay.
Skipper Rew was not to be left behind as he too scored quickly, piling up his runs with the help of seven fours and one six.
For India, leg-spinner Naman Pushpak picked up two wickets for 65 runs, while Deepesh Devendran scalped one giving away 34 of his seven overs.
Now, India U19 will take on England U19 in the two-match Test series starting on July 12.
India U-19 Vs England U-19 Playing XIs
England U19: Ben Dawkins, Joseph Moores, Ben Mayes, Rocky Flintoff, Thomas Rew(w/c), Ekansh Singh, Sebastian Morgan, Ralphie Albert, Alex Green, Matthew Firbank, AM French
India U19: Ayush Mhatre(c), Vaibhav Suryavanshi, Vihaan Malhotra, Rahul Kumar, Harvansh Pangalia(w), Kanishk Chouhan, RS Ambrish, Deepesh Devendran, Anmoljeet Singh, Yudhajit Guha, Naman Pushpak
(With PTI Inputs)
