Prolific India batter Harvansh Pangalia and RS Ambrish slammed fine half-centuries as they overcame a shaky start to defeat South Africa by 25 runs (DLS Method) in the opening Youth ODI at Benoni, South Africa on Saturday.

India piled up a mammoth 301 in 50 overs, with Pangalia scoring 93 off 95 balls and Ambrish hitting 65 off 79 deliveries. The visitors were in trouble at 67 for 4 in the 15th over after losing openers Vaibhav Suryavanshi (11) and Aaron George (5), followed by wicketkeeper Abhigyan Kundu (21) and Vedant Trivedi (21) cheaply in successive overs.

Pangalia and Ambrish then stitched a 137-run partnership for the fifth wicket, first consolidating with cautious play and then accelerating with big hits. Pangalia hit seven fours and two sixes, while Ambrish struck seven boundaries. Quickfire contributions from Kanishk Chouhan (32 off 23 balls) and Khilan Patel (26 off 12 balls) helped India reach a formidable total, despite South Africa’s 17-year-old pacer JJ Basson taking 4/54 at key moments.

Chasing, South Africa lost three early wickets, with Deepesh Devendran taking two for 33. At 62 for 3, Jorich Van Schalkwyk (60*) steadied the innings. However, rain and thundershowers forced the players off the field at 148 for 4 in 27.4 overs. The umpires applied the DLS Method, awarding India U19 a 25-run victory.

Brief scores: India U19: 301 all out in 50 overs (Harvansh Pangalia 93, RS Ambrish 65; JJ Basson 4/54) beat South Africa 148/4 in 27.4 overs (Jorich Van Schalkwyk 60*, Armaan Manack 46; Deepesh Devendran 2/33, Khilan Patel 1/14) by 25 runs (DLS Method).