The Indian U-19 cricket team, riding high on a thrilling two-wicket victory in the first Youth Test, will be looking to seal a series win against Australia U-19 in the second and final match at the M.A. Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on Monday. The match promises to be a captivating encounter as both teams aim to end their tour on a high.
While India had dominated Australia in the preceding ODI series, winning convincingly by margins of seven and nine wickets in the first two matches, the shift to the longer format presented new challenges for the young Indian side. In the first Test, Australia, powered by a dominant innings from their opening batsman, Riley Kingsell, put up a strong total of 293 runs. India, in reply, showcased their batting prowess with a solid opening stand between Vihaan Malhotra and Vaibhav Suryavanshi, who went on to become the youngest-ever centurion in Youth Tests at the tender age of 13.
However, the Indian team’s batting performance was uneven, with only Suryavanshi making a significant impact. The home team was particularly troubled by Australian leg spinner Vishwa Ramkumar, who claimed seven wickets across the two innings. Despite having five left-handers in their lineup, India struggled against Ramkumar’s wiles. India, however, can draw inspiration from the performance of Nikhil Kumar, who emerged as the player of the match in the first Test, showcasing his ability to counter Ramkumar’s bowling.
On the bowling front, India appears more stable. Led by leg-spinner Mohamed Enaan, who bagged nine wickets in the first Test, the Indian bowlers will be looking to continue their strong form.
Australia, despite showing resilience in the first Test, needs to address their batting inconsistency. Apart from Kingsell, who consistently scored in the 40s and 50s, the other Australian batsmen failed to convert promising starts into substantial scores. They will need to reassess their strategies against the Indian bowlers and aim for a different result in the final match.
Both teams missed an opportunity to fine-tune their game plans ahead of the final Test. Their scheduled final day practice sessions were canceled due to severe traffic congestion in the city, caused by the Indian Air Force air show at Marina Beach, just minutes away from the stadium.
The second Youth Test promises to be a thrilling encounter, with both India and Australia eager to finish their tour on a winning note. The Indian team will be hoping to maintain their momentum and secure a series win, while Australia will be looking to bounce back and end their tour on a positive note.
