India U-19 pile up 428, lead Australia by 185

A fearless hundred from Vaibhav Suryavanshi and a patient century by Vedant Trivedi powered India U-19 into a commanding position against Australia U-19 on the second day of the first Youth Test here on Wednesday.

Suryavanshi, already making waves as the youngest IPL centurion at just 14, played an innings full of audacity and flair. His 86-ball 113 runs was a treat of modern-day stroke-making, laced with eight sixes and nine boundaries, as he took apart the Australian attack in T20 fashion. At the other end, Trivedi showed maturity beyond his years, grinding out a composed 140 runs off 192 balls to anchor India’s innings.

Together, the pair stitched a crucial 152-run stand, laying the platform for India to post a mammoth 428 all out in 81.3 overs, at a brisk scoring rate of more than five runs per over. In reply, Australia U-19 were reduced to 8 for 1 at stumps, still trailing by 177 runs, leaving the visitors firmly in control.

Suryavanshi’s intent was evident from the start, cracking back-to-back boundaries off Hayden Schiller in the very first over. Against the pacers, he dominated through the extra cover region, while his slog sweeps and cuts unsettled the spinners. He brought up his hundred with a fluent cover drive off Aryan Sharma, before showcasing innovation with ramp shots and a clean six off leg-spinner Zed Hollick.

Trivedi, in contrast, absorbed pressure and punished loose balls, playing the ideal foil to Suryavanshi’s fireworks. Khilan Patel also chipped in with a quickfire 49, ensuring India capitalized on the momentum.

For Australia, Aryan Sharma and Zed Hollick picked up wickets but were unable to prevent India’s surge. The hosts now face an uphill battle to save the match, with the Indian bowlers expected to come hard on day three.

This Youth Test follows a one-sided Youth ODI series, where Ayush Mhatre’s India U-19 team blanked the Aussies 3-0. Early signs suggest the tourists are in no mood to ease up in the red-ball format either.