Youth ODI Vipul – Vipul Indian batsmen Harvansh Pangalia and R. S.

Ambareesh recovered from a poor start and scored a brilliant half-century to defeat South Africa by 25 runs (DLS method) in the opening Youth ODI in Benoni on Saturday (January 3, 2026). With the help of Pangalia’s 93 (95 balls) and Ambareesh’s 65 runs in 79 balls, India scored a huge score of 301 runs in 50 overs, when their score was 67 runs for 4 wickets in the 15th over.

The visitors lost openers Vaibhav Suryavanshi (11) and Aaron George (5) early and then suffered a double blow when at the score of 67 they lost both wicketkeepers Abhigyan Kundu (21) and Vedant Trivedi (21) cheaply in consecutive overs. However, Pangalia and Ambareesh made quick work of that, first consolidating the innings by playing cautiously and then hitting big hits to stitch a 137-run partnership for the fifth wicket. Pangalia hit seven fours and two sixes, while Ambareesh hit seven fours.

Kanishk Chauhan’s quick-fire 32 (23 balls) and Khilan Patel’s 26 (12 balls) helped India Under-19 post a big total, although it could have been even better had South Africa’s 17-year-old left-arm pacer JJ Basson (4/54) not been on the attack at crucial times. South Africa did not have a good start, losing three wickets in quick succession, two of which fell to right-arm pacer Deepesh Devendran (2/33), as the hosts were in deep trouble at 62 for 3. But some cautious batting from Jorich van Schalkwyk (60 not out off 72 balls) got South Africa back on track.

However, due to lightning the players had to go to the dressing room at 148 for 4 in 27. 4 overs. Due to inclement weather, the umpires decided to apply the DLS method with India leading by 25 runs.

Brief scores: India U19: 301 all out in 50 overs (Harvansh Pangalia 93, RS Ambareesh 65; JJ Basson 4/54) beat South Africa 148 for 4 in 27. 4 overs (Jorich van Schalkwyk 60 not out, Armaan Manac 46; Deepesh Devendran 2/33, Khilan Patel 1/14) 25 runs out Defeated by.

DLS method.