Fresh off their breakout IPL 2025 campaigns, teenage stars Vaibhav Suryavanshi and Ayush Mhatre carried their red-hot form into the international arena, powering India U19 to a comprehensive six-wicket victory over England U19 in the opening Youth ODI at the County Ground on Friday.

After opting to bowl first, India`s bowling unit put on a clinical show to restrict England to 174 all out in 42.2 overs. The spin duo of Kanishk Chouhan (3/20) and Mohamed Enaan (2/37) caused regular damage through the middle overs, while seamers RS Ambrish (2/24) and Henil Patel (2/41) maintained tight lines to keep the scoring in check. Despite a gritty half-century from Rocky Flintoff (56 off 90), son of former England all-rounder Andrew Flintoff, England struggled to build partnerships as wickets tumbled around him.

Opener Isaac Mohammed had earlier set the tone with a blistering 42 off 28 balls, smashing three boundaries and four sixes. But once Patel removed BJ Dawkins and Enaan dismissed Isaac just short of his fifty, the English innings lost momentum. The hosts crumbled from 76/1 to 86/4, with Ambrish striking twice to remove Ben Mayes (16) and skipper Thomas Rew (5). Despite Rocky Flintoff’s determined resistance, Chouhan’s crafty spell ran through the lower order, ensuring England were bowled out with nearly eight overs to spare.