Sensational Knock! Vaibhav Suryavanshi’s 24-Ball 68 Seals U19 Series for India vs South Africa

India Under-19 sealed the Youth ODI series in emphatic fashion as skipper Vaibhav Suryavanshi produced a breathtaking assault to guide India U19 to an eight-wicket victory via the DLS method against South Africa U19 in the second Youth ODI on Monday.

With this win, India U-19 took an unassailable 2-0 lead in the series, underlining their dominance despite repeated weather interruptions.

Match Affected by Weather for Second Straight Game

Just like the opening ODI, the second Youth ODI was significantly impacted by bad weather. Lightning caused a lengthy delay, forcing multiple stoppages and ultimately leading to a revised target for the Indian side.

South Africa U-19 had earlier posted a competitive total, but persistent interruptions meant the match was eventually decided under the Duckworth–Lewis–Stern (DLS) method.

India were originally set a revised target of 174 runs off 27 overs. When play resumed after further delays, the contest was eventually called off once India reached 176/2 in 23.3 overs, comfortably surpassing the DLS requirement.

Vaibhav Suryavanshi Unleashes a Blistering Assault

The defining moment of the match was an extraordinary innings from Vaibhav Suryavanshi, who played one of the most explosive knocks in Youth ODI cricket.

The India U-19 captain hammered a stunning 68 off just 24 balls, an innings that included:

10 sixes
1 four

Suryavanshi’s knock came at a strike rate of nearly 283, completely dismantling the South African bowling attack and swinging the match decisively in India’s favour before weather could intervene again.

His fearless strokeplay took the game away from the hosts in a matter of minutes, leaving South Africa with no answers.

India in Complete Control Before Final Stoppage

At the time of the first interruption during the chase, India U-19 were already cruising at 115/2 in 12.5 overs, well ahead of the required rate.

When play briefly resumed, India continued to pile on the runs before officials eventually called off the match with the visitors at 176/2 in 23.3 overs, confirming India’s victory under DLS calculations.

Support from the Middle Order

While Suryavanshi grabbed the headlines, India also received calm support from the middle order:

Vedant Trivedi remained unbeaten on 31 off 57 balls, playing the stabilising role.
Abhigyan Kundu was equally impressive, finishing on 48 not out off 42 balls, ensuring there were no late hiccups.

Both batters were at the crease when the match was officially called off and India were declared winners.

Jason Rowles Anchors South Africa’s Innings

Earlier in the match, South Africa U-19 put up a fighting total, thanks largely to a fine century from Jason Rowles.

Rowles scored a composed 114 off 117 balls, an innings that featured:

7 fours
3 sixes

His knock anchored the South African innings as the hosts reached 245 all out in 49.3 overs, a total that initially looked competitive before the weather and India’s explosive chase changed the course of the game.

India’s Bowlers Deliver Key Contributions

India’s bowlers played an important role in keeping South Africa’s total in check:

Kishan Singh was the standout performer, returning impressive figures of 8.3–1–46–4, breaking key partnerships.
RS Ambrish provided solid support, finishing with 2/47.

Their disciplined spells ensured South Africa were bowled out short of the full 50 overs, which later proved crucial when the DLS calculations came into play.

Series Context: India in Complete Command

India had already taken a 1-0 lead in the series after winning the first Youth ODI by 25 runs via DLS in Benoni at Willowmoore Park. The second consecutive DLS-affected match did little to halt India’s momentum.

With the series now decided at 2-0, India U-19 have once again showcased their depth, adaptability, and ability to perform under challenging conditions.

Key Takeaways from the Match

Vaibhav Suryavanshi’s 24-ball 68 was the decisive blow
India handled revised targets calmly despite repeated stoppages
South Africa relied heavily on Jason Rowles’ century
India’s bowlers delivered crucial breakthroughs
The series was sealed with a game to spare

Conclusion

Vaibhav Suryavanshi’s blistering 24-ball 68 will be remembered as the innings that defined the Youth ODI series, underlining Vaibhav Suryavanshi’s growing impact in India U-19 cricket. In a match disrupted by weather, India U-19 showed composure and attacking intent in equal measure, cruising to an eight-wicket DLS victory and sealing the series 2-0.