IND U-19 vs ENG U-19, 2nd Test: Rew, Ekansh steady England innings after Indian bowlers shine on Day 1

India Under-19 bowlers struck at regular intervals before skipper Thomas Rew and Ekansh Singh rescued the hosts on day one of the second Youth Test here on Sunday.

Thanks to a 90-run stand between Rew and Ekansh, England U-19 recovered from 80 for five to close at 177 for six in 44 overs. Rew top-scored while RS Ambrish and Aditya Rawat claimed two wickets each.

India U-19 skipper Ayush Mhatre’s decision to bowl first was immediately vindicated. Rawat trapped Ben Dawkins lbw with the first ball of the match, and in the next over, Henil Patel removed Adam Thomas, leaving England reeling at 4 for 2. One-down batter Aaryan Sawant managed to settle in with a boundary but struggled to build momentum.

Rain delayed the start and forced another interruption with England at 18 for two in 5.3 overs, prompting an early lunch.

Resuming play, Sawant and Rocky Flintoff attempted to rebuild, but Rawat struck again, dismissing Flintoff for a 26-ball 16, caught by Vihaan Malhotra, to make it 29 for three. Ambrish then removed Sawant (20), also caught by Malhotra.

Ben Mayes offered brief resistance with a 31 off 40 balls, laced with five boundaries, before falling to Ambrish.

Rew, captaining and keeping wicket in this match, then combined with Ekansh Singh (46 not out) for a vital 90-run partnership that steadied England U-19’s innings. Their stand was broken late in the day when leg-spinner Naman Pushpak claimed the prized wicket of Rew.