After a rain-affected victory in the opening match, the Indian Under-19 cricket team is poised to clinch the series when they take on South Africa U-19 in the second youth One-Day International. The crucial encounter is scheduled for Monday, January 5, at the Willowmoore Park in Benoni.
Recap of the First ODI: A DLS-Aided Victory
In the first match, India, choosing to bat first, posted a competitive total of exactly 300 runs. This score was built despite a failure from captain Vaibhav Suryavanshi. Following a top-order stumble, it was the middle-order duo of Harvansh Pangalia and RS Ambrish who steered the innings to a formidable position. The Indian batting effort also faced an interruption due to lightning.
In response, the South African chase was halted at 148 for 4 in just 27.4 overs as rain intervened. Using the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern (DLS) method, India was declared the winner by a margin of 25 runs. This win gives the young Indian side a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.
Stakes and Context for the Second Clash
The upcoming match holds significant importance for the Indian team led by Suryavanshi, who is captaining in the absence of Ayush Mhatre. A victory on Monday would secure the ODI series, marking it as India U-19's first series win under Suryavanshi's leadership.
Beyond the series result, this contest serves as vital preparation for both squads ahead of the upcoming ICC U-19 World Cup, which commences later this month. Fine-tuning combinations and assessing player form under pressure is the key objective.
Match Details and How to Watch
The second ODI between India U-19 and South Africa U-19 will begin at 1:30 PM IST (10:00 AM local time). Fans hoping to watch the match on television in India will be disappointed, as the scheduled broadcaster, Star Sports, pulled out of the series. The broadcaster cited "technical issues at the event organizer's end" for the unavailability of the live broadcast.
However, cricket enthusiasts across the globe can still catch the live action. The match will be streamed live on the official Cricket South Africa YouTube channel.
Benoni Weather: A Repeat Rain Threat Looms
Weather could once again play a pivotal role in the outcome. The forecast for Benoni on Monday predicts a 55% chance of thunderstorms and a 33% probability of precipitation during the day. Reports suggest approximately 2.5 hours of rain are possible, mirroring the conditions that truncated the first game.
Expected Line-ups for the Decider
India U-19 Probable XI: Aaron George, Vaibhav Suryavanshi (c), Vedant Trivedi, Abhigyan Kundu (wk), Harvansh Pangalia, RS Ambrish, Kanishk Chouhan, Mohamed Enaan, Khilan Patel, Deepesh Devendran, Henil Patel.
South Africa U-19 Probable XI: Jorich Van Schalkwyk, Adnaan Lagadien, Muhammed Bulbulia (c), Jason Rowles, Armaan Manack, Paul James, Bandile Mbatha, Lethabo Phahlamohlaka (wk), JJ Basson, Bayanda Majola, Ntando Soni.
All eyes will be on the skies and the young talents as India seeks a series-sealing performance against the hosts in Benoni.
