India’s U-19 cricket team is brimming with confidence after securing a comprehensive 3-0 victory over Australia in the limited-overs series in Puducherry. Now, the team, coached by the experienced Hrishikesh Kanitkar, will shift its focus to the longer format of the game as it prepares for the first of two Youth Test matches against Australia, starting on Monday at the M.A. Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai.
The Indian team, buoyed by home advantage and their recent success, will enter the match as firm favorites. In the ODI series, India’s bowlers, particularly the spin duo of Mohamed Enaan and KP Kartikeya, wreaked havoc on the Australian batting lineup. The likes of skipper Mohamed Amaan and Kartikeya also shone with the bat, leading India to comfortable victories in each of the three matches.
The transition to the longer format will be a crucial test for both sides. India’s senior men’s team recently showcased the effectiveness of spin and pace on the Chepauk pitch, which could present similar challenges for the U-19 teams, even on a generally batting-friendly surface. While the young Indian team will miss the services of Amaan and Sahil Parikh for the Test matches, they will be led by Soham Patwardhan, with Vihan Malhotra as his deputy. The team boasts a formidable batting lineup with four left-handers in the top four – Vaibhav Suryavanshi, Nitya Pandya, Vihan, and Soham – which could pose a challenge to Australia’s spin-bowling attack.
Meanwhile, Australia, guided by head coach Lachlan Stevens and assisted by veteran coaches Carl Hooper and Tilan Samaraweera, will be looking to bounce back. The visitors will be relying on their spin-bowling attack to contain India’s left-handers. Both teams will have their eyes on standout performers like Kartikeya and Enaan, who impressed with their spin bowling prowess in the one-dayers, as well as the Australian duo of Ollie Peake and Steven Hogan, who scored centuries in the final ODI.
Coach Kanitkar, while cautiously optimistic, emphasized the importance of adapting to the demands of the longer format. “The boys are confident after the ODI series, but this is a different format. The conditions and mindset change. It’s important to take the positives from the win, but now it’s about resetting and preparing for the challenges of red-ball cricket,” he said.
He added that the Chepauk pitch, while different from the one used in Puducherry, could still provide challenging conditions due to the hot and humid weather in Chennai. “The weather is similar to Puducherry — hot and humid — but the pitch is different. We’ll assess it in the morning and make our decisions based on that,” he stated.
Kanitkar also praised the depth of talent in his squad, stating that “There’s a lot of ability in this team, both in terms of batting and bowling. Anyone of them could step up and deliver, and that’s a very promising sign for us.”
The first Youth Test between India and Australia is set to be an exciting clash, with both teams eager to prove their mettle in the longer format. The series promises to be a captivating display of young talent and an opportunity for these aspiring cricketers to showcase their skills on the big stage.
