India U-19 defeated Australia U-19 comfortably by seven-wickets, with 117 balls to spare, taking a 1-0 lead in the three-match ODI series in Brisbane. Wicketkeeper-batter Abhigyan Kundu stole the spotlight with a match-winning 87 off just 74 balls.
Chasing a target of 226, Vaibhav Suryavanshi, who made headlines during the IPL, attacked from ball one and scored 38 off just 22 balls, including seven fours and a six at a strike rate of 172.73, but India lost him and captain Ayush Mhatre on the same score of 50.
Vedant Trivedi and Kundu’s unbroken partnership of 152 runs off just 124 balls guided India U-19 to victory. In the partnership, Trivedi played the role of an anchor while Kundu played his shots whenever he got a loose delivery. Trivedi remained unbeaten on 61 off 69 balls, including eight fours, while Kundu’s innings consisted of eight fours and five sixes.
Earlier, Australia U-19 won the toss and opted to bat. Kishan Kumar provided India a brilliant start when he sent back both the openers in the first over. For Australia U-19, only John James played a counter-attacking innings of 77 runs from 68 balls, including six fours and a six, which helped Australia U-19 to reach a respectable total. None of the other batters could make an impact.
For India U-19, Henil Patel took three wickets, while Kishan and Kanishk Chouhan took two wickets each. Kundu was adjudged the Player of the Match.
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