South Africa U19 vs India U19 – 3rd Youth One Day Match Preview

Date: January 7, 2026
Time: 07:30 GMT
Venue: Willowmoore Park, Benoni

Match Overview

The third and final Youth One Day International of the 2026 India U19 tour of South Africa promises to be a thrilling encounter between two emerging cricketing powerhouses. Following a decisive 8-wicket victory in the second match, India U19 will be looking to seal the series with a win, while South Africa U19 will aim to salvage some pride and push for a comeback.

The match will be played at Willowmoore Park in Benoni, a venue known for its balanced pitch, offering fair assistance to both batters and bowlers. With the series already in India's favor, the third match could provide a final showcase for the young stars of both teams.

Team Form and Previous Match

India U19

India U19 has been in excellent form, having won the second match in emphatic fashion. Their explosive batting line-up, led by the sensational Vaibhav Suryavanshi, has been a force to reckon with. Suryavanshi’s 68 off just 24 balls in the previous match, studded with 10 sixes, has cemented his status as one of the most promising talents in the U19 circuit. Captain Vaibhav Suryavanshi and vice-captain Aaron George have shown great leadership, while Kishan Singh has been a consistent performer with the ball, picking up 4 wickets in the last game.

South Africa U19

South Africa U19 put up a strong performance in the second match, scoring 245 in their innings. Jason Rowles was the standout performer, scoring a patient 114 off 113 balls. However, they were unable to defend the total, with India chasing it down in 23.3 overs. The hosts will look to improve their bowling and fielding in the final match, with Michael Kruiskamp and JJ Basson expected to play key roles.

Key Players to Watch

• Vaibhav Suryavanshi (India U19)
  The 14-year-old sensation is the heartbeat of the Indian batting line-up. His ability to accelerate the innings and hit sixes at will makes him a match-winner. Suryavanshi is the favorite to be the Player of the Match.

• Kishan Singh (India U19)
  A consistent and aggressive bowler, Kishan has been instrumental with the ball. His 4-wicket haul in the previous match showcased his ability to break partnerships and control the flow of runs.

• Jason Rowles (South Africa U19)
  Rowles is the top run-scorer for South Africa and has the ability to anchor the innings or accelerate when needed. His partnership with Daniel Bosman in the second match was crucial for the hosts' total.

• Michael Kruiskamp (South Africa U19)
  A key bowler for South Africa, Kruiskamp has the pace and accuracy to trouble the Indian batters. His ability to swing the ball could play a decisive role in the match.

Head-to-Head and Series Context

India U19 has dominated the series so far, winning the second match by 8 wickets. With the third and final match set to be played in Benoni, the hosts will be under pressure to avoid a whitewash. However, the visitors' momentum, led by Suryavanshi’s heroics, suggests they are in the best position to seal the series.

Weather and Pitch Conditions

The pitch at Willowmoore Park is expected to be flat and batting-friendly, with minimal assistance for bowlers as the game progresses. The weather forecast is clear, with no rain expected, allowing for a full contest. The toss will be crucial, with the team batting second likely to have the advantage, given the expected run-scoring conditions.

Predictions

• Toss Winner: India Under 19
• Match Winner: India Under 19
• Top Batter:
  • India: Vaibhav Suryavanshi
  • South Africa: Jason Rowles
• Top Bowler:
  • India: Kishan Singh
  • South Africa: Michael Kruiskamp
• Most Sixes:
  • India: Vaibhav Suryavanshi
  • South Africa: Jason Rowles
• Player of the Match: Vaibhav Suryavanshi (India Under 19)
• Team Scores:
  • Batting first:
    • India Under 19: 310+
    • South Africa Under 19: 280+

Final Verdict

With Vaibhav Suryavanshi in scintillating form and India U19 having the momentum, the visitors are strong favorites to win the final match and complete a 3-0 series sweep. However, South Africa U19 will look to fight back and make a statement in front of their home crowd. This promises to be a high-scoring, action-packed encounter, with the spotlight firmly on the young stars of both teams.
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