India and England ended their second Youth Test in a tie after a high-scoring final day
India and England ended their second Youth Test in a tie after a high-scoring final day
The second Youth Test match played between England Under-19 and India Under-19 in Chelmsford ended in a draw. Series finished at 1-1, Ayush Mhatre scored a century.
England Under-19 and India Under-19 played out a gripping draw in the second Youth Test at Chelmsford, concluding a fiercely contested two-match series with honours even. The match was packed with individual brilliance, fluctuating momentum, and a final-day surge that nearly produced a dramatic result.
England’s batting revolved around Kent opener Ben Dawkins, who anchored the innings with a masterful 136. He and Adam Thomas put on a colossal opening partnership of 188 runs, frustrating India’s bowlers on a pitch that offered little assistance. Dawkins played with patience and finesse, bringing up his half-century early in the day with a well-timed flick off his pads, while Thomas provided solid support, reaching 91 before falling just shy of a century. Their stand laid the foundation for England’s imposing total of 324 for 5 declared, as they looked to manufacture a win late in the game.
After Thomas’s dismissal to a caught-and-bowled effort from Aditya Rawat, England’s middle order shifted gears. Captain Thomas Rew chipped in with a brisk 19, Ben Mayes added some flair before falling cheaply, and Rocky Flintoff showed aggression with boundaries before he too was caught in the deep. Dawkins brought up his hundred with a crisp cover drive ironic, as he was almost caught playing the same shot on 99. The tail continued the attack, with Aaryan Sawant and Ekansh Singh clubbing sixes, helping England stretch their lead past 250 before eventually calling time on their innings.
India faced a steep challenge: 355 to win in 65 overs or survive the day to draw the match. The chase got off to a shaky start when 14-year-old Vaibhav Suryavanshi chopped on Alex Green’s first delivery. But India responded with resilience and firepower. Vihaan Malhotra settled in, but it was Ayush Mhatre who turned the tide with a breathtaking counterattack, reaching his fifty in just 25 balls. Ralphie Albert, who earlier dropped Mhatre at long-on on 54, quickly redeemed himself by removing Malhotra before tea.
After the break, Abhigyan Kundu joined Mhatre and struck two sixes in as many overs, keeping India just ahead of the run rate. Mhatre continued to impress, converting his fifty into a sensational century off just 64 deliveries his strokeplay mixing brute force with smart shot selection. Kundu, equally aggressive, brought up his half-century as India pushed toward an improbable win.
Yet, England struck back. Mhatre fell for 126, caught on the boundary by Mayes off Albert, and India’s middle order faltered. Kundu edged to slip, and Rahul Kumar offered a simple return catch, shifting the momentum England’s way. With time ticking down and clouds gathering overhead, India’s lower order held firm. Drizzle eventually halted play, and with conditions unsuitable for resumption, the umpires called off the match, sealing a well-earned draw.
Albert finished with match figures of 10 for 129, a standout effort showcasing his stamina and craft. Despite the missed victory, England had plenty to celebrate Dawkins’ century, a dominant opening stand, and their bowlers’ tenacity. India, too, could hold their heads high with Mhatre’s fireworks and a spirited resistance that snatched a draw from the jaws of defeat.
This Youth Test had all the makings of a future classic brilliant batting, bowling drama, and a cliffhanger ending. If anything, it left fans excited for what these youngsters might achieve as they climb the ranks.