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. 

In the second Youth ODI against the hosts South Africa U19, India U19 captain Vaibhav Suryavanshislammed a firing half-century with almost 90 percent of scoring shot was sixes in the chase of the revised target.

While South Africa U19 were all out for 245 runs in 49.3 overs, India U19 later got the revised target of 230 runs in 42 overs under the DLS method, when the visitors were batting at 103/2 in just 11 overs. Even before the revised target set after the rain interruption, the Indian captain for this tour already produced his powerful batting performance before losing his wicket.

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Vaibhav Suryavanshi scored 68 runs from 24 balls, thanks to 10 sixes

Captain Vaibhav Suryavanshi completed his half-century in just 19 balls with the help of eight sixes. With the help of 10 sixes and one four, Vaibhav scored 68 runs off just 24 balls before losing his wicket in the ninth over. Out of his 68 runs, 60 runs came from only sixes. 

In the eighth over, when Vaibhav completed his half-century, he slammed three consecutive sixes along with a four in the first four balls of that over. 

Skipper Vaibhav had a 67-run partnership with his opening partner Aaron George, who scored 20 off 19 balls with three fours. 

Jason Rowles scored century for South Africa U19

Earlier in the first innings, Jason Rowles slammed a century by scoring 114 runs off 113 balls with seven fours and three sixes. Middle-order batter Daniel Bosman (3`1) and opener Adnaan Lagadien (25) were the only other batters to reach the 20-run mark in that innings. Among the Indian bowlers, the left-arm pacer Kishan Singh bagged four wickets (4/46).

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has named the complete squad for the ICC U19 Cricket World Cup 2026, where Ayush Mhatre will lead the side, and the superstar Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has also been named in the squad. 

Zimbabwe and Namibia will host the ICC U19 Cricket World Cup 2026 with 16 participating teams, which will run from January 15 to February 6, 2026. It will be the 16th ICC U19 Cricket World Cup, while India U19 are holding the record number of titles with five times. In the last edition (2024) in South Africa, India lost the Final against Australia by 79 runs. 

India U19 played all the last five U19 Cricket World Cup Finals, winning twice and finishing runners-up three times.

Before the U19 World Cup, India U19 will play a three-match Youth ODI series against the hosts South Africa. Willowmoore Park in Benoni will host all three Youth ODIs on January 3, 5, and 7, 2026. Vaibhav Sooryavanshi will lead the Indian U19 team in the ODI series in South Africa.

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India U19 complete squad for a 3-match Youth ODI series in South Africa

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi (Captain), Aaron George (vice-captain), Vedant Trivedi, Abhigyan Kundu (wk), Harvansh Singh (wk), R.S. Ambrish, Kanishk Chouhan, Khilan A. Patel, Mohamed Enaan, Henil Patel, D. Deepesh, Kishan Kumar Singh, Udhav Mohan, Yuvraj Gohil, Rahul Kumar

Indian squad for ICC U19 Cricket World Cup 2026

In the ICC U19 Cricket World Cup 2026, India U19 team is in Group A along with Bangladesh, New Zealand, and the United States. The top three teams from each group will advance to the Super 6 stage, where each team will play two games. 

India U19 complete squad for ICC U19 Cricket World Cup 2026

Ayush Mhatre (Captain), Vihaan Malhotra (vice-captain), Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Aaron George, Vedant Trivedi, Abhigyan Kundu (wk), Harvansh Singh (wk), R.S. Ambrish, Kanishk Chouhan, Khilan A. Patel, Mohamed Enaan, Henil Patel, D. Deepesh, Kishan Kumar Singh, Udhav Mohan.

🚨 News 🚨

India's U19 squad for South Africa tour and ICC Men’s U19 World Cup announced.

Details▶️https://t.co/z21VRlpvjg#U19WorldCup pic.twitter.com/bL8pkT5Ca2

— BCCI (@BCCI) December 27, 2025

India U19 suffered a big defeat in the Final of the U19 Asia Cup 2025, as Pakistan U19 won the title after winning the Final by 191 runs. 

The unbeaten side of the tournament, India U19 sent Pakistan U19 to bat first. While Pakistan U19 scored 347/8 in 50 overs, India U19 were bundled out for only 156 runs, as Pakistan U19 won by 191 runs. 

Watch: Heated clash between India and Pakistan players sparks controversy U19 Asia Cup 2025

Sameer Minhas records highest score for Pakistan U19 in Youth ODI history

Although the opener Hamza Zahoor was dismissed for 18 runs, Pakistan U19 already scored 31/1 in 3.3 overs. Another opener Sameer Minhas had a crucial role in the innings, while he had a 92-run partnership with the no.3 batter Usman Khan. 

Sameer completed his 50 runs in just 29 balls, while Usman was out for 35 runs. Sameer and Ahmed Hussain controlled the innings completely with their 137-run partnership for the third wicket. While Sameer slammed the century in 71 balls, Ahmed scored 56 off 72 balls. 

Sameer completed his 150 runs in 105 balls, and then he broke the record for the previous highest score by a Pakistan batter in Youth ODI history, which was 159 by Shahzaib Khan against India U19 in 2024. 

Sameer scored 172 off 113 balls with 17 fours and nine sixes before getting out in the 43rd over. Although the Indian bowlers managed to pick up wickets in the slog overs, Pakistan still managed to score a huge total, which was Pakistan U19 fourth highest total in their Youth ODI history.

Among the Indian bowlers, Deepesh Devendran got three wickets (3/83), while Henil Patel (2/62) and Khilan Patel (2/44) had two wickets each. 

No big scores from India U19 batters

The Indian innings was never set up for the huge chase since losing their first wicket in 2.2 overs after scoring 32 runs. Only the opener Vaibhav Suryavanshi (26) and the no.10 batter Deepesh Devendran (36) managed to score 20+ runs in that chase. 

Among Pakistan bowlers, Ali Raza got four wickets (4/42), while Mohammad Sayyam (2/38), Abdul Subhan (2/29), and Huzaifa Ahsan (2/12) picked up two wickets each.  

Deepesh Devendran is fast emerging as one of the most exciting pace prospects in India’s Under-19 setup. The right-arm medium-fast bowler from Tamil Nadu announced himself on the continental stage with a stunning five-wicket haul against Malaysia in the ACC Men’s U19 Asia Cup 2025 in Dubai, underlining his rapid rise in youth cricket.

A product of a cricketing household

Born on January 4, 2008, Deepesh hails from a strong cricketing background. His father, Vasudevan Devendran, represented Tamil Nadu in domestic cricket and featured in the inaugural edition of the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (then known as the Inter-State T20 tournament). After his playing days, Vasudevan turned coach and played a key role in shaping Deepesh’s early development.

Growing up in Tamil Nadu’s competitive cricket ecosystem, Deepesh learned the value of discipline and patience early on, traits that are now clearly visible in his bowling.

Style inspired by Dale Steyn

Deepesh is a self-confessed admirer of Dale Steyn, and the influence shows. He bowls a heavy length, attacks the stumps, and relies on late seam movement rather than just raw pace. For a 17-year-old, his control is impressive, regularly touching speeds above 130 kmph while maintaining a tight line.

Coaches often describe him as a bowler who enjoys long spells and thrives when asked to break partnerships, qualities that separate promising quicks from genuine prospects.

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Breakthrough on overseas tours

Deepesh first came into wider focus during India U19’s tours of England and Australia in 2025. While the England tour was steady rather than spectacular, it was the Australian series that truly changed perceptions.

In the Youth Test series against Australia U19, he finished as the leading wicket-taker, claiming 10 wickets in four innings at an outstanding average of 9.80. His standout performance came in the first Test at Brisbane’s Ian Healy Oval, where he picked up a five-wicket haul in the first innings and ended the match with eight wickets. Those performances firmly established him as a frontline bowler in the India U19 attack.

U19 Asia Cup 2025: A tournament to remember

The Asia Cup in Dubai has been Deepesh’s most convincing statement yet.

• Against UAE, he bowled with control and picked up key wickets.
• In the high-voltage clash against Pakistan, his spell of 3 for 16 ripped through the top order and set the tone for India’s dominant 90-run win.
• Against Malaysia, Deepesh delivered his best performance of the tournament, claiming a five-wicket haul as the opposition collapsed under sustained pressure.

Across matches, he has shown maturity beyond his age, often striking early and finishing spells strongly.

What lies ahead

At just 17, Deepesh Devendran is already being viewed as a vital cog in India’s plans for the U19 World Cup next year. His ability to combine pace, accuracy, and temperament makes him a standout among his peers.

If his development continues on this trajectory, Deepesh won’t just be remembered as a star of the U19 Asia Cup 2025, but as a fast bowler with the potential to climb much higher in Indian cricket’s pace hierarchy.

Although India's sensational teenage opener Vaibhav Suryavanshi was dismissed cheaply, India U19 thrashed Pakistan U19 in their group stage encounter in the U19 Asia Cup 2025. 

In this Group A contest, Pakistan U19 chose to field first. The India U19 team maintained the no-handshake status with their opponents Pakistan team. While the Indian team was all out for 240 runs in the 49-over encounter, Pakistan were bundled out for only 150 runs, as India U19 won the match by 90 runs. 

Watch: Vaibhav Suryavanshi dismisses Pakistan skipper during Men's U-19 Asia Cup 2025

Aaron George and Kanishk Chouhan played valuable knocks after captain Ayush Mhatre's quick start

Although Vaibhav Suryavanshi was dismissed for only five runs in the fourth over of the match, captain Ayush Mhatre and Aaron George provided a solid start with a quick-fire 49-run partnership in 6.3 overs for the second wicket. Since the skipper and opener Mhatre was out for 38 off 25 balls with four fours and three sixes, India U19 were losing wickets at regular intervals.

However, Aaron George was handling the pressure on the other end with his effective batting. Before the no.3 batter was dismissed in the 32nd over, Aaron scored 85 off 88 balls with 12 fours and one six. 

In the late part of the first innings, Kanishk Chouhan played a useful knock of run-a-ball 46 runs with two fours and three sixes, which helped the Indian lads to manage a challenging total. 

Among the Pakistan bowlers, Mohammad Sayyam (3/67) and Abdul Subhan (3/42) picked up three wickets each, while the best economical Niqab Shafiq (2/38) got two wickets. 

Kanishk Chouhan shone with ball too, while Huzaifa Ahsan was lone fighter

In chase, only Huzaifa Ahsan managed to produce some fight back with 70 runs off 83 balls with nine fours and two sixes, but there was no proper support for him from the other end. Apart from Huzaifa, only the skipper Farhan Yousaf (23) managed to reach the 20-run mark in that innings.

Among the Indian bowlers, Deepesh Devendran (3/16) and Kanishk Chouhan (3/33) took three wickets each, while Kishan Singh (2/33) got two wickets. Kanishk won the Player of the Match award for his brilliant all-round performance as he scored 46 runs and took three wickets (3/33) to assure a comfortable win for India U19. 

India’s young batting sensation Vaibhav Suryavanshi has reacted to becoming the most-searched Indian personality on Google in 2025. The 14-year-old continued his outstanding form on Friday by smashing a record-breaking 171 off just 95 balls. He achieved the feat during India’s Group A opener against the United Arab Emirates (UAE) at the ICC Academy Ground in Dubai.

With that innings, Suryavanshi broke the record for the highest score by an Indian in the U19 Asia Cup. His innings drew attention from a lot of quarters and boosted the young man's growing popularity, with him even pipping Virat Kohli in Google search trends for the year.

After the match, the broadcaster underscored his rise in popularity and asked him how he maintains his focus amidst all the growing hype. The presenter pointed out that Suryavanshi was not only the most searched person in India but also came sixth among the most searched personalities in the world.

Suryavanshi Stays Grounded Despite Rising Fame

"When we conduct research about you, you may not be aware of this. According to Google, you are the most searched person in India overall over the last year, even surpassing Virat Kohli. You are in the sixth spot in terms of being the most searched personality in the world. Our job is to build you up; our job is to do research about you. But it is not your job; your job is to keep the focus. Amidst all this hype, how do you stay grounded?" the broadcaster asked.

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The teenager from Samastipur, Bihar, replied that while such recognition does make him happy, his main focus remains on improving his game. "I don't pay attention to these things. I keep the focus on my game. Yes, I do hear about these developments, and it does feel nice. I look at it, feel good about it and then move forward. That's about it," replied Suryavanshi.

Suryavanshi’s stunning knock is now the second-highest score by an Indian in youth ODIs, behind Ambati Rayudu’s unbeaten 177 against England in 2002. It is also the ninth-highest score by any batter in men’s U19 ODIs. His innings was filled with nine fours and 14 sixes, the most sixes hit by a batter in a single U19 innings, underlining his remarkable talent at such a young age.

The India Men's U19 in the Australia ODI series has attracted significant attention from Indian cricket fans, as there are multiple promising youngsters in the Blue. Apart from Ayush Mhatre and Vaibhav Suryavanshi, there are at least two other batters who, so far, looked promising enough to play in the Indian Premier League (IPL).

India U19 scored 300 runs in 49.4 overs against the Australia U19 team at Ian Healy Oval, in Brisbane. Ayush, captain of India U19, departed for a duck, though his opening partner, Vaibhav, played another impressive 70-run knock. The seventy-run innings he played against 68 deliveries did not justify his aggressive mindset. From the lower order, it was Vihaan Malhotra and Abhigyan Kundu who enriched the run tally. Malhotra and Kundu scored 70 and 71 runs, respectively.

Due to IPL 2025, Mhatre and Suryavanshi got the opportunity to make headlines on big occasions. But Malhotra and Kundu, who proved their abilities in various age group competitions, are yet to receive an IPL contract. Ahead of IPL 2026, when multiple franchises are planning to reinforce their batting lineup, half centuries from those two batters can make positive impressions. 

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Short introductions about Malhotra and Kundu

Who is Vihaan Malhotra? 

Hailing from Patiala, the 18-year-old has been scoring runs significantly. Before that Youth ODI series against Australia A, the batter scored a couple of hundreds against the England A team and two half centuries as well. He can bowl as well. Against England A, during youth test matches, he picked up few wickets as well.

Who is Abhigyan Kundu?

The 17-year-old Mumbaikar is another prodigy from the India U19 teams, who has already left positive impressions through his batting and keeping. His capability to understand the situation of a match makes him different from others. During the previous Youth ODI against Australia U19, the left-handed batter scored an unbeaten 87 runs for a winning cause in the second innings and took a couple of catches behind the wicket as well. Against England U19, during a Youth Test, he missed a century only for 10 runs. 

Smit Patel was one of the key figures behind India's 2012 ICC U19 World Cup triumph. His contributions with then the captain of U19 India, skipper Unmukt Chand, in the final match against Australia are on the pages of cricket history. But unfortunately, the highly talented keeper-batter could not make his way to the senior team. In fact, very few cricketers from that U19 side were able to lead their careers at the highest level of the game. Where is Smit Patel now, who scored an unbeaten 62 off 84 to secure India's U19 WC trophy?

He has now moved to the United States of America to represent their national team. The last time he played for the USA was on May 27, 2025, against Oman. He made 41 runs against 47 balls; the USA scored 293 and eventually won the game. Patel made his international debut for the USA last year on August 13. 

The Gujarat-born played for multiple franchises in various T20 leagues. He was in action during this year's Major League Cricket for the Texas Super Kings. Though his performance was not up to the mark. In 8 matches and 6 innings for Super Kings, the 32-year-old got 100 runs in total, including a 38-run innings, which shaped his average to only 16.66. Unlike his batting performances, he was sharp behind the wickets, taking 5 clean catches. 

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Patel participated in the Caribbean Premier League back in 2021 with the Barbados Royals. He scored a half century for Royals, but his overall stats were underwhelming. In 4 CPL innings, he bagged only 70 runs in total. 

In 2021, Smit Patel left all systems under BCCI's governance to pursue his career in the USA. "It's been a different sort of a journey. Starting with the highs of the Under-19 World Cup, then the frustration of not finding a place as a wicketkeeper, and then moving four teams (Gujarat, Tripura, Goa, and Baroda) within India for opportunities," he said before. 

A new age wave on August 26, 2012 lashed on Townsville. A small town, away from hustling and bustling, flooded in blue as India won their third Under 19 ICC World Cup, defeating Australia. Unmukt Chand, then the captain of India U19, led his team to the glory. Chand played an unbeatable 111 off 130 to secure the match and the trophy for Team India. For the World Cup, a group of boys were all together for about 18 months, grew together, and conquered the opponents—India was undoubtedly the deserving champion of the 2012 U19 WC. 

Talking about the match, Australia went to bat first and lost 4 wickets in quick intervals. Their middle order started to give India the real fight. William Bosisto, then the captain of U19 Australia, Travis Head, and Ashton Turner stood tall against the Indian bowling attack. Bosisto remained not out for 87, Head scored 37, Turner got 43, and Australia in total registered 225/8 on the scoreboard. Fast bowler Sandeep Sharma, in peak form, clinched 4 wickets in the process in his 4-over spell. The spinners kept the Australian strike rate close to the ground. 

The target was not too big, but Australians were not there with the intention to roam Team India on the ground without any hesitation. Joel Paris and Ashton Turner tried to control India's batting attack as much as possible. Prashant Chopra went for a duck, but his opening partner, Unmukt Chand, left no stones unturned.

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Chand was the man under spotlight 

He remained firm on the track until his team secured the much-desired victory. Facing 130 balls, the top-order batsman remained unbeaten for 111. Hanuma Vihari and Vijay Zol's quick dismissal did not bother the Men in Blue, as Baba Aparajith (33) and then Smit Patel (62*) supported their skipper well. India chased down the target of 226 in 47.4 overs, losing only 4 scalps. 

"I do not know what is happening right now. Thankful to God, I have taken the team through. The Aussies played really well, but we came out on top. Townsville has been amazing for us," Chand said after the match.