Vaibhav Suryavanshi guides India U19 to 2–0 Youth ODI series victory against South Africa U19

Visitors India U19 secure the three-match Youth ODI series against the hosts South Africa U19 on Monday (January 5), after claiming an eight-wicket win in the revised target chase in the second game of the series. India U19 have produced some strong performances just ahead of the ICC U19 Cricket World Cup 2026, which Zimbabwe and Namibia will host between January 15 and February 6, 2026. 

Trailing the series by 1-0, the hosts chose to bat first. While South Africa U19 scored 245 all out in 49.3 overs, India U19 chased down the final revised target of 174 runs after losing two wickets with 21 balls remaining. 

Kishan Singh shone with the ball for India U19

The no.4 batter Jason Rowles slammed a century in the first innings, which played a huge role for South Africa U19 to manage a good total, as only two more home batters managed to score 20+ runs in that innings. While Rowles scored 114 off 113 balls with seven fours and three sixes, opener Adnaan Lagadien (25) and Daniel Bosman (31) managed to score some crucial runs. 

Among the Indian bowlers, the left-arm pacer Kishan Singh got four wickets with the bowling figures of 8.3-1-46-4, the right-arm medium pacer RS Ambrish picked up two wickets (8-0-47-2). 

Skipper Vaibhav Suryavanshi slammed 10 sixes to score 68 runs

In chase, captain Vaibhav Suryavanshi recorded a 19-ball half-century, as the southpaw scored 68 runs off 24 balls with the help of one four and 10 sixes. Later, India U19 got the revised target of 230 runs in 42 overs, which was once again reduced to 174 runs target in 27 overs. 

While the other Indian opener Aaron George scored 20 runs, Vedant Trivedi and Abhigyan Kundu remained not out with 31 runs and 48 runs, respectively. India U19 comfortably won the game by eight wickets to secure the series with one match yet to be played.