Sehwag shines, Dravid goes ballistic as India beat Australia by seven runs

Anvay Dravid (File photo)

India Under-19 held off Australia Under-19 by seven runs in a rain-shortened first Youth ODI in Rajkot on Friday, with Anvay Dravid providing the late push and Yashbardhan Chauhan scoring a half-century.The match was reduced to 20 overs per side after rain interrupted play at the Niranjan Shah Stadium. India posted 182 for six after being sent in to bat by Aussie skipper Jack Czosnek, with Chauhan making 54 off 34 balls and Anvay, son of former India captain Rahul Dravid, scoring 38 off 18.The match also marked the India U-19 debut of Aaryavir Sehwag, son of former India cricketer Virender Sehwag. Opening the innings, Aaryavir scored 28 off 26 balls, hitting five fours.

His father was present at the venue to watch him play.Australia made a strong start in their chase through openers Neel Patel and Hayden Barbulovic. Patel scored 45 off 31 balls, while Barbulovic made 40 off 24. Australia then remained in the chase through captain Jack Czosnek, who scored 55 off 27 balls.But Czosnek's dismissal in the 19th over ended Australia's hopes. They finished on 175 for seven, seven runs short of India's total.

Chauhan was India's most successful bowler, taking two wickets for 28 runs in his four overs to complete a good all-round performance.India had been in trouble at 88 for four in the 12th over before Chauhan and Anvay came together. The pair added 69 runs to revive the innings and set up the late charge.

Chauhan scored 54, hitting five fours and two sixes. Anvay came in at No. 6 and scored his 38 from just 18 balls, hitting two fours and three sixes.

His strike rate of 211.11 gave India the late runs they needed.India scored 108 runs in their final 10 overs.Earlier, Aaryavir made a steady start on his India U-19 debut, opening alongside captain Lakshya Raichandani. The pair added 45 runs for the opening wicket.Aaryavir's debut had drawn attention, with Sehwag also at the stadium to watch his son. Anvay had previously represented India U-19 in the Youth ODI series in Sri Lanka earlier this year.Brief scores:India Under-19s: 182 for 6 (Chauhan 54, Dravid 38; Brain 2-29)Australia Under-19s: 175 for 7: (Czosnek 55, Neel 45, Barbulovic 40; Chauhan 2-28)