Australia U19 vs India U19 – Unofficial Test Match Preview (2025-10-07)

Date: 7 October 2025
Time: 01:00 GMT
Venue: Great Barrier Reef Arena, Mackay
Series: India U19 Tour of Australia 2025 – 2nd Unofficial Test
Format: Unofficial Test
Series Status: India U19 lead 1-0 after a comprehensive 58-run victory in the first Test in Brisbane

Match Preview

As the India U19s continue their tour of Australia, the focus shifts to Mackay for the second and final unofficial Test of the series. With a 1-0 lead in the series, the Indian side will be eager to clinch a series victory, while the hosts, Australia U19, will look to bounce back after a heavy defeat in the first Test.

The match promises to be a fascinating contest between two emerging talents from the cricketing world. Australia, home to a strong youth cricket infrastructure, will be keen to showcase their depth and resilience, while India’s U19 side, led by Ayush Mhatre, will look to maintain the momentum they built in the first Test.

India U19 – The Road to Mackay

India U19 have been in scintillating form during their tour of Australia, having swept the 3-match ODI series 3-0 and also won the first Test in Brisbane. Their performances have been a blend of aggressive batting, disciplined bowling, and sharp fielding.

In the first Test, India scored 428 for 10 in their first innings, with notable performances from the likes of Vaibhav Suryavanshi and Rahul Kumar. Their bowlers then chipped away at the Australian total, enforcing the follow-on and eventually sealing a 58-run win.

Key performers for India in the first Test include:

• Vaibhav Suryavanshi – A rising star with a knack for anchoring the innings.
• Abhigyan Kundu – The wicketkeeper who has shown excellent hand in both batting and fielding.
• Kanishk Chouhan – A consistent performer with the ball, offering crucial breakthroughs.

India will look to maintain the same intensity and confidence as they head into the second Test.

Australia U19 – Bouncing Back in Mackay

The Australian U19 side will be coming into this match with the pressure of needing to respond after a comprehensive defeat in the first Test. The hosts are known for their strong home support and the Mackay pitch is expected to offer a fair contest between bat and ball.

Australia's batting lineup, led by Simon Budge and Hayden Schiller, will need to be more disciplined and resilient in this match. The bowlers, including Alex Lee Young and John James, will also look to put in a better performance than in the previous Test, where they were outbowled by the Indian spinners and seamers.

The Australian side will need a collective effort to turn the series around. With the second Test being on home turf, the hosts will aim to inspire their young talent and regroup after the first Test's heavy loss.

Venue Insights – Great Barrier Reef Arena, Mackay

The Great Barrier Reef Arena in Mackay is a well-maintained venue that has hosted several youth and domestic matches in the past. The pitch is known to assist spinners in the later stages, especially during the longer format. With the Test match format, both teams will need to adapt their strategies to the conditions, and Mackay could offer a more spin-friendly surface than the one in Brisbane.

Head-to-Head History

This is the second match of the unofficial Test series between the two sides. In the first Test, India U19 made a dominant statement, outplaying Australia in all departments. The second Test will be an opportunity for Australia to show character and fight back.

Key Matchups to Watch

• Vaibhav Suryavanshi vs Australia’s spinners – The Indian opener will look to dominate early and set the tone.
• Abhigyan Kundu vs Simon Budge – A battle between two wicketkeeper-batsmen who are key to their sides’ success.
• Kanishk Chouhan vs Hayden Schiller – The spinners will be crucial in breaking partnerships and taking wickets.

Prediction

India U19 will enter the match as strong favorites, having already won the first Test convincingly. However, with the second Test on home soil, Australia U19 will be determined to put up a tougher fight. The conditions in Mackay may favor the spinners, and if India can handle the early pressure, they could go on to win the match and the series.

Prediction: India U19 to win by 75-100 runs

Final Word

This match is more than just a Test; it's a battle for pride and a chance to make a statement on the international stage. With young talents from both nations ready to shine, cricket fans can expect an exciting and competitive game under the lights at Mackay.