India Under-19 secured a dominant nine-wicket win over Australia in the second Youth ODI on Monday, taking an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series. Opener Sahil Parakh's aggressive unbeaten century led the charge as India comfortably chased down a target of 177 in just 22 overs. The series win comes after India had defeated Australia by seven wickets in the first match.

Parakh’s unbeaten hundred steers India to victory

Sahil Parakh, a 19-year-old from Mumbai, delivered an outstanding performance with the bat, scoring 109 not out off just 75 balls, including 14 fours and 5 sixes. His explosive innings helped India race to the target with ease after the early loss of Rudra Patel (10). Parakh formed a formidable partnership with Abhigyan Kundu, who contributed 53 not out from 50 balls, hitting 9 boundaries. Together, they stitched a 153-run stand that ensured India’s comfortable victory, finishing the chase in 22 overs.

Earlier, Australia had set a modest target of 177 after being bowled out for 176 in 49.3 overs. Parakh’s ton was the highlight of the match, securing India a series win with one match still to be played.

India’s bowling unit put in a solid performance to limit Australia to a below-par total. Karnataka medium pacer Samarth Nagaraj (2/34), Kerala leg-spinner Mohammed Enaan (2/30), and off-spinner Kiran Chormale (2/29) were instrumental, each taking two wickets. Their disciplined bowling effort prevented Australia’s batters from building any significant partnerships.

Australia’s middle-order batter Addison Sheriff top-scored with 39 off 61 balls, while Christian Howe added 28. However, several other Australian batters got starts but could not convert, with India’s bowlers striking regularly to dismiss them for 176.

Inconsequential final ODI and upcoming Tests

With the series already sealed, the third and final ODI becomes a formality, set to be played on Thursday. Following the conclusion of the ODI series, both teams will head to Chennai for two unofficial Tests, starting on September 30.

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Brief Scores:

Australia U19: 176 all out in 49.3 overs (Addison Sheriff 39, Christian Howe 28; Samarth Nagaraj 2/34, Mohammed Enaan 2/30, Kiran Chormale 2/29).

India U19: 177/1 in 22 overs (Sahil Parakh 109 not out, Abhigyan Kundu 53 not out).

India won by 9 wickets.

India Winning World Cups always leads to changes as the health of the game in India continues to climb. The 1983 World Cup allowed the Men’s team to believe they are competitors in the Cricketing World. It led to a lot of people picking up a cricket bat and ball for the future. In 2007, the T20 World Cup win saw the start of the IPL which has helped India unearth a lot of new talent, and also give players opportunities outside the national team to secure a future for themselves.

The Women’s Under-19 World Cup now leads speculations of what could come in the future. A Women’s IPL has already been announced, and with an other World Cup set to begin in a few weeks, the Women’s team has a lot to look forward to in the coming months.

For a side to improve they ideally would want to play a lot more cricket, against the tough nations. The Indian Under-19 side has now allowed India to believe that they can play against the tough sides, and that they also have talent waiting behind them.

Their approach to start with for the World Cup was brilliant. Rather than trying out new players, and experimenting, India went straight on for the win, knowing what a Womens World Cup win would mean for their future.

They picked Shafali Verma, who has been with the senior team for quiet sometime, allowing the Under-19 team to have a player who knows what its like to play on the big stage. Shafali Verma was a part of some of India’s toughest moments, including the T20 World Cup loss at Melbourne, and knows how defeat feels.

With her in as captain, the other players automatically had a lot of pressure lifted as they could then go about their own skills, focusing and polishing them off. With a World Cup to win, each of the girls in the line-up came up and fought. Shweta Sehrawat, the vice-captain, was incredible with the bat and led the side with runs on the board. With the ball, India took a punt with three spinners in their elevens for most games.

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Mannat Kashyap, Archana Devi and Parshavi Chopra together combined with the ball, complimented each other well and were focused on the areas they needed to bowl. With each spinner capable of bowling in a certain part of the innings, the way Shafali used her spinners was easily balanced.

When it came to seam bowling, India had some issues. Young seamers, inconsistency and injury has been a common issue for India. A bowler who stood out here though is Titas Sadhu. She did not start, but once she got her opportunity she made the most of it, looking good even on flat tracks which had bowlers going all over the place.

The other pacers were just as good in their opportunity with Shabnam, Yashasri and Falak all proving that they can hit the deck nicely with their pace. With the pacers doing well, India now find a nice back-up for Renuka Singh, who is already doing a fine job with the new-ball. The spinners too allow the senior team a lot more cushion, especially when they play on slow tracks.

The triumph has allowed India to identify their depth, and also get a group of players who believe they can win. With that belief starting, India can see a lot of positives, especially with a Womens IPL allowing the same group more games under pressure.