The Indian Under-19 cricket team delivered a commanding performance to complete a clean sweep in the three-match Youth ODI series against South Africa. The visitors secured a massive 233-run victory in the third and final match at Willowmoore Park on Wednesday, January 8, 2026, riding on spectacular centuries from skipper Vaibhav Suryavanshi and opener Aaron George.
Record-Breaking Opening Stand Sets Up Mammoth Total
Sent in to bat first, India's young guns got off to a flying start. Captain Vaibhav Suryavanshi, fresh from a blistering 24-ball 68 in the previous game, was in devastating form once again. The 14-year-old prodigy from Bihar unleashed a six-hitting spree, smashing 10 maximums and 9 boundaries on his way to a fluent 74-ball 127. This marked his third century in Youth ODIs.
He found a perfect partner in Aaron George, who compiled a fine 118 runs from 106 deliveries. Together, they forged a colossal 227-run opening partnership, laying an unshakeable foundation for a huge total. Their efforts propelled the Indian innings to a daunting 393 for 7 in the allotted 50 overs. For the Proteas, Ntando Soni (3/61) and Jason Rowles (2/59) were the main wicket-takers.
South Africa's Chase Crumbles Early
Facing a stiff target of 394, the South African batting lineup collapsed under pressure right from the start. Indian pacer Kishan Singh wreaked havoc with the new ball, reducing the hosts to 15 for 3 within the first four overs. He dismissed Jorich Van Schalkwyk (1), Adnaan Lagadien (9), and Lethabo Phahlamohlaka (0) in quick succession.
Daniel Bosman (40) and Jason Rowles (19) offered brief resistance, but the innings never gained momentum. Despite a 41-run knock from Paul James and an unbeaten 36 from Corne Botha, South Africa was bundled out for a mere 160 runs in 35 overs, handing India a victory by a massive 233-run margin.
A Statement Series Win and a Rising Star
This victory sealed a comprehensive 3-0 series whitewash for the India U-19 team. They had earlier won the first match by 25 runs via the DLS method and the second by eight wickets. The series has been dominated by the sensational form of captain Vaibhav Suryavanshi.
The teenage sensation's statistics are staggering. In just 18 Youth ODIs, he has now amassed 973 runs at an astonishing average of 54.05 and a strike rate of 164.08, including three hundreds and four fifties. His explosive batting has sent a strong warning to rivals ahead of future ICC tournaments, solidifying India's position as a powerhouse in age-group cricket.
