Aaryavir Sehwag impresses on India U19 debut, Anvay Dravid plays blind

Aaryavir Sehwag started his India Under-19 journey with an attacking 28 off 26 balls while Anvay Dravid provided the late fireworks as India U19 beat Australia U19 by seven runs in the rain-shortened first Youth ODI in Rajkot on Friday.

The match at the Niranjan Shah Stadium was reduced to 20 overs per side following rain interruptions. The Indian batting line-up attracted further attention when Aaryavir, son of former India opener Virender Sehwag, made his India U19 debut. Virender Sehwag was also present at the venue to watch his son begin his journey in India colours.

Aaryavir wasted little time in making an impression. Alongside skipper Lakshya Raichandani, the right-hander smashed five boundaries during his 26-ball stay. He raced to 16 off 14 balls during the Powerplay as India got off to a flying start.

His innings ended when Spencer Green dismissed him just after the powerplay. Raichandani then fell for 15 while Kushagra Ojha made 16 off 14 balls before India slumped to 65/3. Arjun Rajput added a quick 15 off eight deliveries but India were 88/4 after 11.5 overs and needed a late surge.

Also Read: Watch: Aaryavir Sehwag channels fatherly flair with boundary blitz in T20 league

HOW ANVAY DRAVID PROGRESSED

Anvay, son of the legendary Rahul Dravid, started with India 88/4 with just over eight overs remaining. The wicket-keeper batsman didn’t immediately try to force the pace, getting off the mark as Yashbardhan Chauhan continued to build the innings at the other end.

However, once he settled down, Dravid shifted gears spectacularly. He finished with 38 off just 18 balls, hitting two fours and three sixes at a pace of 211.11.

Dravid hit his first boundary in the 13th over as India brought up 100. The next over brought the first big burst. Chauhan opened with a six against Spencer Green and after the strike turned, Dravid joined the attack with his first six of the innings. Chauhan then added two more fours as India piled on 22 runs from the over.

Dravid continued to find gaps and clear the boundary. He hit another six in the 15th over, this time against Eli Brain, before adding four more in the following over. His clean hitting provided the momentum India needed after losing four wickets in the first 12 overs.

The partnership with Chauhan was increasingly detrimental to Australia. While Chauhan provided stability, Dravid attacked the bowlers and kept the score on the rise. The pair added 69 runs before Dravid’s dismissal.

Dravid’s remarkable cameo finally ended in the 18th over when he was bowled by Eli Brain. Until then, however, he had done his job. His strike helped India to 157/5 by the time he departed, allowing the lower order to push the total to 182/6.

Australia started a strong chase with Neel Patel scoring 45 off 31 balls, Hayden Barbulovic 40 off 24 and skipper Jack Czosnek smashing 55 off 27. However, India held their nerve to restrict Australia to 175/7 after 20 overs and seal victory.

For India, Aaryavir’s promising debut provided an early spark, but Dravid’s sensational late cameo proved crucial in forming the unit that eventually secured them victory.

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Issued by:

sabyasachi chowdhury

Published on:

18 Sep 2026 18:04 IST