Wed. Jul 30th, 2025

ENG U19 Beat IND by 7 Wickets in 5th Youth ODI

England U19 capped off the five-match Youth ODI series with a commanding seven-wicket victory over India U19 in the final match. Chasing a target of 211, the English young guns, led by the composed Ben Mayes (82*), the explosive Ben Dawkins (66), and skipper Thomas Rew (49*), made light work of the chase, finishing the job in just 31.1 overs.

Despite England’s dominant win in the last game, the series was already in India’s favor, with the visitors securing a 3-2 series victory. Nevertheless, the final ODI offered a glimpse of the talent brewing in the English camp, as they ended the series on a high note.

England's Batting Fireworks Seal the Chase

The foundation of England’s successful chase was laid by an aggressive opening partnership. Ben Dawkins, continuing his red-hot form, smashed his third consecutive half-century of the series. His 53-ball 66 gave England a rapid start, allowing them to reach 100 within just 15 overs.

However, a mini-collapse saw Dawkins and Rocky Flintoff depart in quick succession, reducing England from 113/1 to 121/3. The game briefly hung in balance, but Ben Mayes and Thomas Rew calmed nerves with an unbroken partnership. Mayes anchored the innings with maturity beyond his years, finishing unbeaten on 82, while Rew provided steady support, remaining 49 not out as England cruised to victory.

Dawkins Shines Throughout the Series

Ben Dawkins emerged as one of the standout performers of the series. With three successive half-centuries, the young opener displayed an array of attacking strokes and an aggressive mindset at the top of the order.

His fearless approach in the powerplay overs consistently put India’s bowlers on the back foot. Even in the final match, Dawkins’ quickfire 66 allowed England to dictate terms early in the chase. His consistency throughout the series will certainly put him on the radar of national selectors in the coming years.

India’s Batting Falters Despite Ambrish's Heroics

Earlier in the day, India struggled to post a competitive total after several top-order batters failed to convert starts into big scores. Vaibhav Suryavanshi (33), Harvansh Pangalia (24), Rahul Kumar (21), and Kanishk Chouhan (24) all got going but couldn’t build substantial partnerships.

It was RS Ambrish who played a gritty knock under pressure. Coming in with India reeling at 135/7, Ambrish stitched a crucial 68-run eighth-wicket stand with Yudhajit Guha. His unbeaten 66 helped India cross the 200-run mark, giving the bowlers something to defend.

Despite the modest total of 211, Ambrish’s knock was a bright spot for India and showed the resilience of the middle-lower order when the chips were down.

Missed Opportunities for India's Bowlers

India’s bowling attack, which had been impressive in the earlier matches, lacked penetration in the final ODI. The seamers struggled for consistency, and the spinners failed to contain the flow of runs in the middle overs.

Despite picking up two quick wickets midway through the chase, the bowlers could not apply sustained pressure. Mayes and Rew’s composure denied India any further breakthroughs.

The Indian bowlers will take heart from their overall performance across the series but will need to work on sustaining pressure through longer spells and adapting to different match situations.

India Clinch the Series 3-2

While the fifth ODI win will boost England’s confidence, India can still take pride in their series victory. Winning three of the first four matches, the visitors showcased depth and exciting talent, especially in the form of Suryavanshi, whose earlier century in the series—143 off just 78 balls—set new records at the youth level.

This closely contested series provided valuable match experience to both teams, allowing emerging players to make their mark on the international stage.

Final Thoughts

The five-match Youth ODI series between India U19 and England U19 lived up to its billing, offering a thrilling contest between two talented sides. England’s fightback in the final match demonstrated their batting potential, while India’s series win highlighted their growing bench strength.

Key performers like Ben Dawkins, Ben Mayes, RS Ambrish, and Vaibhav Suryavanshi gave a glimpse into cricket’s next generation. Both sides will walk away from this series richer in experience and hungry for more challenges on the global stage.