India U19 seize advantage after bowling out Australia for 174

Tanmay Baloda claimed six wickets as India Under-19 bowled out Australia U19 for 174 in the second Youth Test in Ahmedabad. Australia hit back late, dismissing both Indian openers to leave India 38/2 at stumps, 136 runs behind

Ahmedabad: Left-arm spinner Tanmay Baloda claimed a six-wicket haul as India Under-19 gained the upper hand in the second Youth Test despite a late double blow from Australia Under-19 on an action-packed opening day at the Narendra Modi Stadium ‘B’ ground here on Monday.

Baloda’s impressive spell helped India U19 bowl out Australia U19 for 174 in their first innings. However, the visitors fought back in the final session by removing both Indian openers to reduce the hosts to 38/2 at stumps, leaving India 136 runs behind.

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At stumps, Kushagra Ojha was unbeaten on 13, alongside skipper Yashbardhan Chauhan, who was not out on seven.

Opting to field after winning the toss, India’s fast bowlers set the tone early. Priyanshu Singh struck in the second over by removing Australian skipper Matthew Lough for a duck, before fellow pacer Mohit Ulva had Hayden Barbulovic caught behind in the fifth over to leave the visitors in early trouble at 9/2.

Neel Patel and Eli Brain briefly steadied the innings with a cautious partnership, but the introduction of Baloda turned the tide in India’s favour. The left-arm spinner broke the stand by trapping Brain lbw and, in his very next over, had Patel stumped.

Pacer Ayaan Akram then joined the wicket-taking act by inducing an edge from Blake Cattle, before Baloda dismissed Zed Hollick to leave Australia reeling at 67/6 inside 21 overs.

Just as the visitors appeared in danger of being bowled out for a double-digit total, wicketkeeper-batter Charlie Henderson and Jacob Pietz staged a gritty recovery. The duo added 70 runs for the seventh wicket to take Australia past the 150-run mark.

Baloda once again proved to be the partnership breaker, cleaning up Pietz for 26. Akram then dismissed Henderson shortly after, before Baloda wrapped up the tail to finish with six wickets and emerge as India’s standout bowler.

India’s innings began on a shaky note as Lakshya Raichandani, who had slammed a double century in the series opener, edged behind off fast bowler Thomas Vaseo after a laborious 1 off 22 balls.

Leg-spinner Spencer Green then trapped Sagar Virk lbw, leaving India two down early. Ojha and Chauhan saw off the remaining overs to ensure there were no further setbacks before stumps.

Brief scores:

Australia Under-19: 174 all out in 73 overs (Charlie Henderson 37, Neel Patel 31; Tanmay Baloda 6-32, Ayaan Akram 2-45) lead India Under-19: 38/2 in 15 overs (Sagar Virk 16, Kushagra Ojha 13 not out; Thomas Vaseo 1-8, Spencer Green 1-12) by 136 runs.