In the opening Youth ODI played here on Saturday, India U-19 defeated Australia U-19 by an easy seven wickets behind the brilliant unbeaten 85 from right-handed batsman KP Karthikeya and the half-century from captain Mohammed Amaan.
Samit, the elder son of great cricketer Rahul Dravid, was expected to make his junior India debut in this match, however it was unclear if he was dropped because of a mix-up or if he was injured.
Australia scored 184 runs in 49.4 overs while batting first, while Mohamed Enaan, a right-arm leg-break bowler, took 4 wickets for 32 in 10 overs.
Riley Kingsell (36), and Steve Hogan (42) both received starts but were unable to finish. After a middle order collapse, Australian colts were able to surpass 180 runs thanks to the 29-run effort of No. 10 Thomas Brown.
In response, Karthikeya and Amaan (58 not out off 89 balls) contributed 153 runs for the fourth wicket partnership, which stood unbroken as the hosts cruised home with as many as 14 overs remaining after India lost their top three for just 32.
With nine fours and two sixes in his 99-ball innings, Karthikeya was the more aggressive of the two. Holding anchor at one end, Amaan struck five boundaries.
Karthikeya was especially severe on right arm seamer Aiden O’Connor hitting him for four boundaries and a six. The other six that he hit was off Thomas Brown.
