Sooryavanshi and India hit top form ahead of U19 World Cup
India had the perfect preparation for the U19 World Cup campaign with a 3-0 series sweep against South Africa.
India's U19 side rounded off a clean sweep against their Proteas counterparts in the three-match Youth ODI series with a thumping 233-run win in the final match in Benoni on Wednesday. The win comes days before the ICC Men's U19 World Cup 2026 kicks off in Zimbabwe and Namibia.
Leading the series 2-0 coming into the final match, India rode on a mammoth 227-run opening stand between Aaron Geroge and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi to set a target of 394 for the hosts.
The South African chase was rocked early by Kishan Singh who picked up three wickets in a devastating opening spell.
Despite contributions from the lower-middle order with Paul James, Corne Botha and Daniel Bosman all getting starts, the South African innings was wrapped up for 160.
Sooryavanshi was adjudged the Player of the Match for his knock of 127 in just 74 deliveries as he continued his rich vein of form.
The 14-year-old had starred in the second Youth ODI win scoring 68 to make easy work of South Africa’s target of 245 that was reduced to 174 after rain interrupted play.
Kishan Singh was once again on the mark with the ball as he picked up four wickets. The performance is one of many that have put India in a positive headspace heading into the upcoming marquee tournament.
Through the three-match series, skipper Vaibhav Sooryavanshi led from the front for India, scoring 206 runs. Meanwhile Kishan Singh was the highest wicket-taker with seven wickets.
Jason Rowles was the shining light for South Africa with the bat, scoring 149 runs in the series, second only to Sooryavanshi on the charts.
The series victory in South Africa will hugely boost India’s confidence, who will be eyeing their sixth ICC Men’s U19 Cricket World Cup title when the tournament kicks off from January 15.
India have reached the last five finals, winning the title on two of those occasions. As for South Africa, they will be eyeing their second U19 World Cup title and a first one since 2014.
India face United States in their first match of the tournament on January 15 before South Africa get their campaign underway against Afghanistan a day later.
Photo courtesy: BCCI