India Under-19 secured a commanding nine-wicket win over Australia on Monday, sealing the three-match youth ODI series with an unassailable 2-0 lead.
Opener Sahil Parakh played a blistering knock, scoring an unbeaten 109 off 75 balls, including 14 fours and 5 sixes, as India comfortably chased down Australia's target of 177 in just 22 overs. Following the early dismissal of Rudra Patel (10), Parakh, a 19-year-old from Mumbai, formed a formidable 153-run partnership with Abhigyan Kundu (53 not out from 50 balls, 9 fours), guiding India to victory with ease.
Earlier, Australia's innings was kept in check by India's bowlers. Karnataka pacer Samarth Nagaraj (2/34), Kerala leg-spinner Mohammed Enaan (2/30), and off-spinner Kiran Chormale (2/29) shared six wickets between them, limiting Australia to 176 all out in 49.3 overs. Despite several Australian batters getting starts, none could convert into substantial scores, with middle-order batter Addison Sheriff top-scoring with 39 off 61 balls.
The third and final ODI, now a dead rubber, will be played on Thursday before both teams head to Chennai for two unofficial Test matches starting on September 30.
Brief Scores: - Australia U19: 176 all out in 49.3 overs (Addison Sheriff 39, Christian Howe 28; Samarth Nagaraj 2/34, Mohammed Enaan 2/30, Kiran Chormale 2/29). - India U19: 177/1 in 22 overs (Sahil Parakh 109 not out, Abhigyan Kundu 53 not out)
Result: India U19 won by 9 wickets.