Yashbardhan Chauhan’s all-round show powers India U-19 to win over Australia

Yashbardhan Chauhan starred with bat and ball as India Under-19 beat Australia Under-19 by seven runs in a rain-curtailed Youth ODI in Rajkot. Chauhan scored 54 and took 2-28, while Anvay Dravid and Aryaveer Sehwag also contributed

Rajkot: All-rounder Yashbardhan Chauhan produced a fine all-round display as India Under-19 edged past Australia Under-19 by seven runs in a rain-curtailed first Youth ODI at the Niranjan Shah Stadium here on Friday.

In a match reduced to 20 overs a side due to rain, India U-19 posted a strong 182/6 after being sent into bat. Chauhan top-scored with 54 off 34 balls, hitting five boundaries and two sixes.

---

The match also featured Anvay Dravid and Aryaveer Sehwag, the sons of legendary India cricketers Rahul Dravid and Virender Sehwag.

Opening the batting in his father’s trademark aggressive style, and with his father watching from the stadium, batting all-rounder Aryaveer set the early tempo with 28 off 26 balls, including five fours.

Later in the innings, wicketkeeper-batter Anvay turned aggressor, smashing 38 off 18 balls at a strike rate of 211.11, with two fours and three sixes.

Dravid and Chauhan joined forces for a crucial 69-run fifth-wicket stand, pulling India out of trouble after they were reduced to 88/4 in the 12th over. Off-spinner Eli Brain was Australia’s standout bowler, returning figures of 2-29 from his four overs.

Chasing 183, Australia U-19 put up a spirited fight, powered by solid contributions from their top order. Captain Jack Czosnek kept the visitors in the hunt with a blistering 55 off 27 balls, featuring six fours and three sixes.

With Australia needing 24 runs off 11 deliveries, Czosnek smashed three consecutive boundaries, reaching his half-century off 25 balls with the second boundary before falling on the very next ball.

With 11 runs needed off the final over, right-arm pacer Mohit Ulva held his nerve, conceding just three runs to seal a tense victory for India.

Chauhan backed up his half-century with the ball, taking 2-28 as his off-spin removed key Australian batters Neel Patel (45 off 21 balls) and Hayden Barbulovic (40 off 24 deliveries).

Brief Scores: India Under-19 182/6 (Yashbardhan Chauhan 54, Anvay Dravid 38; Eli Brain 2-29) beat Australia Under-19 175/7 (Jack Czosnek 55, Neel Patel 45; Yashbardhan Chauhan 2-28) by seven runs.