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The opening Youth ODI between Australia Under-19 and India Under-19 in Sydney witnessed a breathtaking moment when Indian fielder Vihaan Malhotra pulled off a spectacular catch to send Australian opener Alex Turner back to the pavilion. The dismissal came on the very first ball of the innings, setting the tone for an action-packed contest.
Vihaan Malhotra plucks a stunning catch
After winning the toss, Australia Under-19 opted to bat first, hoping to make the most of home conditions. However, the strategy unraveled almost immediately as Indian pacer Kishan Kumar struck with the very first delivery of the match.
Bowling a probing length outside off stump, Kishan found Turner’s edge as the batter tried to defend cautiously. The ball flew towards second slip, where Malhotra dived forward with lightning reflexes to complete a low catch. The dismissal stunned the crowd and gave India the dream start they were hoping for.
The brilliance of the dismissal lay in Malhotra’s anticipation and commitment. Positioned at second slip, he reacted quickly to the faint edge, moving low and forward to complete the grab inches above the turf.
Commentators hailed it as one of the finest catches seen in youth cricket in recent times, and fans on social media echoed the sentiment. Such sharp fielding efforts have been a hallmark of India’s Under-19 setup, and Malhotra’s athleticism highlighted the depth of talent emerging from the youth ranks.
Here’s the video:
1st ball, 1st wicket!
You couldn’t have asked for a better way to start the tour for #IndiaU19!Watch AUS U19 🆚 IND U19 ▶️ 1st ODI LIVE NOW 👉 https://t.co/JE8yCo6aNO pic.twitter.com/NpaS2i4tKf
— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) September 21, 2025
Australia’s struggles continue in the middle overs
Following the early blow, Australia’s batting unit continued to face challenges against India’s disciplined bowling attack. By the end of 26 overs, the hosts had managed only 88 runs while losing four wickets, reflecting their struggles in building partnerships.
The Indian bowlers maintained a tight line, not allowing the Australian batters to settle. Regular breakthroughs ensured that the pressure remained firmly on the home side, making India’s decision to bowl first look increasingly justified.
The Australia-India Under-19 series is being closely followed by cricket enthusiasts worldwide, as it offers a glimpse into the future stars of international cricket. Performances in such matches often play a key role in shaping young cricketers’ careers, with several Under-19 alumni going on to become mainstays in their senior national teams.
For India, Malhotra’s catch has already made him a standout performer in the early stages of the match, while Kumar’s early strike underlined the potency of the bowling attack. On the other hand, Australia will need a strong middle-order fightback to post a competitive total and shift momentum in their favor.
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