The Indian Under-19 cricket team stands on the cusp of a commanding series whitewash as they gear up to face South Africa in the third and final Youth One-Day International. Having already secured an unassailable 2-0 lead with comprehensive victories in the first two matches, the young Men in Blue will look to finish their South African tour on a dominant note. For the hosts, the final encounter at Willowmoore Park is a crucial battle to salvage pride and avoid a clean sweep on home soil.
Match Details and Live Streaming Information
The decisive clash is scheduled for Wednesday, January 5, 2026. The action will unfold at the Willowmoore Park in Benoni. The match is set to commence at 1:00 PM Indian Standard Time (IST). The all-important toss will take place half an hour earlier, at 12:30 PM IST.
For fans in India and across the globe, the live coverage of this youth series has been made easily accessible. The entire India vs South Africa Under-19 Youth ODI series is being livestreamed on the official Cricket South Africa YouTube channel. There will be no live telecast on traditional television networks in India, making the digital stream the primary viewing option.
Series Context and Road to the Finale
India's journey to the series win has been marked by clinical performances. They kicked off the series with a 25-run victory in the first ODI on January 3rd. The momentum was firmly carried into the second game on January 5th, where they sealed the series with an emphatic 8-wicket win. A blistering half-century from skipper Vaibhav Suryavanshi was instrumental in the second victory, showcasing the team's batting firepower.
The South African side, led by Muhammed Bulbulia, has found it challenging to counter the all-round strength of the Indian team. As they head into the dead rubber, the Proteas will be desperate to put up a fight and end the series on a positive note, testing their bench strength and strategy ahead of future competitions.
Expected Lineups and Squad Depth
While the final playing elevens will be confirmed at the toss, the squads for the series provide a glimpse of the talent on display. India is led by the impressive Vaibhav Suryavanshi, with Aaron George as his deputy. The squad boasts a mix of solid batters like Vedant Trivedi and promising all-rounders.
India Under-19 Squad: Vaibhav Suryavanshi (Captain), Aaron George (Vice-Captain), Vedant Trivedi, Abhigyan Kundu (Wicket-keeper), Harvansh Singh (Wicket-keeper), R.S. Ambrish, Kanishk Chouhan, Khilan A. Patel, Mohamed Enaan, Henil Patel, D. Deepesh, Kishan Kumar Singh, Udhav Mohan, Yuvraj Gohil, Rahul Kumar.
The South African camp, aiming to break their duck, will rely on players like Jorich Van Schalkwyk and captain Muhammed Bulbulia to lead from the front.
South Africa Under-19 Squad: Jorich Van Schalkwyk, Adnaan Lagadien, Muhammed Bulbulia (Captain), Jason Rowles, Armaan Manack, Paul James, Bandile Mbatha, Lethabo Phahlamohlaka (Wicket-keeper), JJ Basson, Bayanda Majola, Ntando Soni, Daniel Bosman, Corne Botha, Michael Kruiskamp, Enathi Kitshini.
As the sun sets on this bilateral series, the final ODI is more than just a match. For India, it's an opportunity to assert complete dominance and build winning momentum for their next global challenge. For South Africa, it's a chance to learn, adapt, and prove their mettle against one of the most consistent junior teams in world cricket. All eyes will be on Benoni this Wednesday.
