In the first of three junior ODI matches, India Under-19 defeated Australia by nine wickets on Monday thanks to an aggressive century from opener Sahil Parakh. This victory gave India an unbeatable 2-0 lead.

With Parakh scoring 109 not out, 75b, 14×4, and 5×6, India was able to reach the goal of 177 in around 22 overs. In the first encounter, India had defeated Australia by seven wickets on Saturday.

Rudra Patel (10) left the game early, and Mumbai’s 19-year-old Parakh partnered with Abhigyan Kundu (53 not out, 50b, 9×4) for a solid 153 to send their side home with ease.

Earlier, the Aussies were limited to 176 all out in 49.3 overs by the combined six wickets of Kerala leg-spinner Mohammed Enaan (2/30), off-spinner Kiran Chormale (2/29) and Karnataka medium pacer Samarth Nagaraj (2/34).

A number of Australian batsmen had starts but were quickly eliminated by the relentless Indian spinners. Addison Sheriff, a middle-order batter (39, 61b, 2×4), led the visiting team in scoring. This Thursday’s encounter is a crucial third one, and on September 30, the teams will go to Chennai for two unofficial “Tests.”

Quick scores

India U19: 177/1 in 22 overs (Sahil Parakh 109 not out, Abhigyan Kundu 53 not out) defeated Australia U19: 176 all out in 49.3 overs (Addison Sheriff 39, Christian Howe 28; Samarth Nagaraj 2/34, Mohammed Enaan 2/30, Kiran Chormale 2/29) by 9 wickets.