IND vs AUS, 1st Y-Test Day 1: Ishan Om five-wicket haul puts India in driver’s seat
Ishan Om claimed a five-for to put India under-19 in command of the first Youth Test as it bowled Australia under-19 out for 217 on the opening day at the Niranjan Shah Stadium here on Sunday, despite a gritty century by Blake Cattle.
Coming in at a time when Australia had slipped to 27 for 3, the 17-year-old Cattle scored 102 (198b, 7×4). He found an assured partner in Zed Hollick (59, 160b, 7×4), and the pair added 147 for the fourth wicket as the surface flattened and India struggled for a breakthrough.
For a while, Australia looked in complete control, with Cattle and Hollick going strong. But their exits changed the course of the innings as Australia lost its last six wickets for 43 runs, with Ishan (5 for 53) and captain Yashbardhan Chauhan (2 for 56) making the most of the lower order’s vulnerability against spin.
In response, India ended the day unscathed at 8 for no loss, with Lakshya Raichandani and Sagar Virk around.
Opting to bat, Australia was in trouble as pacer Mohit Ulva (3 for 37) and Ishan struck early. Hayden Barbulovic, Neel Patel and Matthew Lough failed to get going. Coming off a 3-0 win in the Youth ODIs, India appeared set to carry its advantage into the longer format.
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But Cattle had other plans. As the wicket dried, he settled in, playing in the ‘V’ and rebuilding with Hollick. The pair made the most of the flattening pitch as the Indian bowlers struggled to find a breakthrough. India was also dealt a blow when fast bowler Pranav Ragavendra suffered an injury and had to be stretchered off, ruling him out of the attack.
Ulva eventually broke the stand, having Hollick caught behind when he was closing in on a century. Cattle reached his hundred to a standing ovation from the crowd but could not carry on, being cleaned up by Yashbardhan soon after.
That triggered Australia’s collapse. With Cattle and Hollick gone, the visiting team lost wickets in clusters and could not sustain the momentum it had built through the post-lunch session. Ishan returned to claim the remaining wickets and complete his five-for as India seized control.
Published on Sep 27, 2026
