India U-19 ride on Vaibhav Suryavanshi’s carnage to clinch first ODI vs England

Fresh off their breakout IPL 2025 campaigns, teenage stars Vaibhav Suryavanshi and Ayush Mhatre carried their red-hot form into the international arena, powering India U19 to a comprehensive six-wicket victory over England U19 in the opening Youth ODI at the County Ground on Friday.

After opting to bowl first, India`s bowling unit put on a clinical show to restrict England to 174 all out in 42.2 overs. The spin duo of Kanishk Chouhan (3/20) and Mohamed Enaan (2/37) caused regular damage through the middle overs, while seamers RS Ambrish (2/24) and Henil Patel (2/41) maintained tight lines to keep the scoring in check. Despite a gritty half-century from Rocky Flintoff (56 off 90), son of former England all-rounder Andrew Flintoff, England struggled to build partnerships as wickets tumbled around him.

Opener Isaac Mohammed had earlier set the tone with a blistering 42 off 28 balls, smashing three boundaries and four sixes. But once Patel removed BJ Dawkins and Enaan dismissed Isaac just short of his fifty, the English innings lost momentum. The hosts crumbled from 76/1 to 86/4, with Ambrish striking twice to remove Ben Mayes (16) and skipper Thomas Rew (5). Despite Rocky Flintoff’s determined resistance, Chouhan’s crafty spell ran through the lower order, ensuring England were bowled out with nearly eight overs to spare.

In reply, India made a statement with the bat. Opening the chase in trademark aggressive fashion, Vaibhav Suryavanshi and Ayush Mhatre tore into the English bowling. Donning the iconic No. 18 jersey, 14-year-old Suryavanshi, who lit up IPL 2025 for Rajasthan Royals with a record 35-ball century, was in ominous touch. He smashed 48 off just 18 balls, including three fours and five sixes, before top-edging a slog sweep off Ralphie Albert, ending a whirlwind knock.

Mhatre, who had amassed 240 runs for Chennai Super Kings in IPL 2025, kept the momentum going, hitting back-to-back boundaries off AM French. He was eventually dismissed for 21, caught in the deep while attempting to clear extra cover.

Though India briefly wobbled with the loss of both openers and Maulyarajsinh Chavda (16), vice-captain Abhigyan Kundu played a composed knock to anchor the chase. His unbeaten 45 off 34 balls, featuring four boundaries and a six, guided India to 178/4 in just 24 overs, giving the visitors a 1-0 lead in the five-match series.

This article first appeared on Mid Day