Indian middle order stars in 1st Youth ODI DLS win over SA
A 137-run partnership between Harvansh Pangalia and RS Ambrish guided India u19 to a 25-run Duckworth–Lewis–Stern (DLS) victory over South Africa u19 in the first Youth ODI at Willowmoore Park, in Benoni, on Saturday.
With the win, the visitor took a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.
Overcast conditions and the threat of rain prompted South Africa to opt to bowl first, a decision that initially paid dividends.
The home side’s new-ball pairing – JJ Basson, of Hoërskool Noordheuwel, and Bayanda Majola, of Durban High School – both struck inside the powerplay, leaving India in early trouble at 34/2 in the sixth over.
However, Pangalia and Ambrish demonstrated the ebb and flow of 50-over cricket with a match-defining partnership that steadied the Indian innings. Pangalia played the dominant role but fell agonisingly short of a century, striking seven fours and two sixes in his 93 from 95 deliveries. Ambrish provided solid support by compiling 65 from 79 balls.
For the hosts, Basson was the standout bowler. He claimed three wickets in his second spell to finish with figures of 4/54 from his 10 overs. Two run outs in the final over, one initiated by captain Muhammed Bulbulia, limited India to 301 all out.
A total in excess of 300 at Willowmoore Park is a stern challenge and that was underlined when the hosts lost early wickets.
Opening batsman, Jorich van Schalkwyk, saw three partners depart within the first 10 overs. Deepesh Devendran posed the main threat, returning figures of 2/33. Despite the pressure, however, Van Schalkwyk, clearly comfortable in Benoni’s batting conditions, stood firm.
The South African and international record-holder for the highest individual score in Youth ODIs – he scored 215 against Zimbabwe u19 in July 2025 – looked fluent at the crease – an encouraging sign for the remainder of the series.
He was unbeaten on 60 when inclement weather finally brought proceedings to a halt. Armaan Manack offered valuable support, but his run out for 46, shortly before the interruption, contributed to South Africa finishing 25 runs short of the DLS target.
Summarised scorecard
India u19 301 (Harvansh Pangalia 93, RS Ambrish 65, Kanishk Chouhan 32, Khilan Patel 26, Vedant Trivedi 21, Abhigyan Kundu 21; JJ Basson 4/54); South Africa u19 148/4 (Jorich van Schalkwyk 60*, Armaan Manack 46; Depeesh Devendran 2/33). India u19 won by 25 runs (DLS).
