India U-19 delivered a masterclass in red-ball cricket, dismantling Australia U-19 inside two days in Mackay to complete a commanding 2–0 sweep of the four-day youth series. The visitors wrapped up the second Test in just 12.2 overs of their chase—after bowling Australia out for a paltry 116 in their second innings—sending a clear message about the depth and hunger of India’s next generation.
Table of Contents
- Match Recap: A Lightning-Fast Finish
- Bowling Heroes: Patel, Pushpak, and Mohan Shine
- Batting Brief: Clinical Chase, Zero Drama
- Series Dominance: What This Sweep Means
- Future Stars to Watch
- Sources
India U-19 Wrap Up Series in Record Time
The second and final youth Test in Mackay barely lasted 48 hours. After posting a solid first-innings total, India’s pace trio—Henil Patel, Naman Pushpak, and Udhav Mohan—combined to skittle Australia for just 116 in their second dig, setting up a target of only 81 runs.
India’s openers made light work of the chase, knocking off the runs in 12.2 overs without losing a wicket. The entire match concluded before lunch on Day 2—a rare feat in four-day cricket and a testament to India’s ruthless efficiency.
Bowling Heroes: Patel, Pushpak, and Mohan Dominate
The backbone of India’s victory was its seam attack. Left-arm spinner Henil Patel continued his breakout series with sharp turn and control, while pacers Naman Pushpak and Udhav Mohan exploited the early moisture and inconsistent bounce to devastating effect.
| Bowler | Overs | Maidens | Runs | Wickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Henil Patel | 14.2 | 3 | 38 | 4 |
| Naman Pushpak | 12 | 2 | 31 | 3 |
| Udhav Mohan | 10 | 1 | 29 | 3 |
Together, they accounted for all 10 Australian wickets in the second innings, never allowing the hosts to build momentum or partnerships.
Batting Brief: Clinical Chase, Zero Drama
Chasing 81 might seem straightforward, but in overseas conditions, even small targets can bring pressure. Not for India’s openers. They treated the chase like a training drill—rotating strike, punishing loose balls, and sealing the win before the first drinks break on Day 2.
“We wanted to finish strong and send a message,” said India U-19 captain Arshin Kulkarni post-match. “This team plays with belief, whether it’s batting, bowling, or fielding.”
Series Dominance: What This Sweep Means
This 2–0 clean sweep isn’t just about bragging rights—it’s a continuation of India’s dominance in age-group cricket. Since 2018, India U-19 has won two World Cups and consistently outperformed rivals in bilateral youth series.
More importantly, this tour showcased adaptability. Playing in Mackay’s humid, seamer-friendly conditions—a stark contrast to Indian pitches—India’s young guns adjusted quickly, proving their readiness for international red-ball challenges.
Future Stars to Watch
- Henil Patel – A left-arm spinner with control beyond his years; already drawing comparisons to Axar Patel.
- Naman Pushpak – Tall, aggressive, and accurate; a prototype new-ball bowler for future Test squads.
- Udhav Mohan – Consistent line-and-length operator with a knack for breakthroughs.
- Arshin Kulkarni – Calm, composed captaincy and solid middle-order batting.
Scouts from the BCCI and IPL franchises are already taking notes. Several of these players could feature in domestic first-class cricket by next season.