Pangalia, Ambrish guide India U19 to victory over South Africa U19

Harvansh Pangalia and RS Ambrish played starring roles as India’s Under-19 cricket team overcame a shaky start to beat South Africa U19 by 25 runs under the DLS method in the opening Youth ODI at Benoni on Saturday.

India’s innings had faltered early, slipping to 67 for 4 in the 15th over after losing openers Vaibhav Suryavanshi (11) and Aaron George (5) cheaply, followed by successive dismissals of wicketkeeper Abhigyan Kundu (21) and Vedant Trivedi (21). The situation seemed precarious, but Pangalia and Ambrish steadied the ship, crafting a commanding 137-run partnership for the fifth wicket. Pangalia struck a fluent 93 off 95 balls, including seven fours and two sixes, while Ambrish contributed a well-timed 65 off 79 balls with seven boundaries.

Lower-order contributions from Kanishk Chouhan (32 off 23 balls) and Khilan Patel (26 off 12 balls) helped India post a formidable 301 in 50 overs, despite some crucial breakthroughs by South Africa’s 17-year-old left-arm pacer JJ Basson , who picked up 4 wickets for 54 runs.

Chasing a big total, South Africa lost momentum early, with Deepesh Devendran claiming two of the first three wickets as the hosts slipped to 62 for 3. Jorich Van Schalkwyk kept South Africa in the hunt with a patient 60 not out from 72 balls, supported by Armaan Manack’s 46. However, worsening weather with lightning and thundershowers halted play at 148 for 4 in 27.4 overs. Applying the DLS method , India emerged ahead by 25 runs.

India’s U19 team has a strong record on the global stage, having won the ICC Under-19 World Cup five times, most recently in 2022. The squad has produced several stars who went on to shine in senior cricket, including Virat Kohli , Rishabh Pant , Shubman Gill , and Prithvi Shaw , who all first made their mark in the U19 circuit. Performances by players like Pangalia and Ambrish indicate the next generation of Indian talent ready to carry forward this legacy.

Brief Scores:

India U19 – 301 all out in 50 overs (Harvansh Pangalia 93, RS Ambrish 65; JJ Basson 4/54) beat South Africa U19 – 148 for 4 in 27.4 overs (Jorich Van Schalkwyk 60*, Armaan Manack 46; Deepesh Devendran 2/33) by 25 runs (DLS).