Abhigyan Kundu’s Unbeaten 209 Powers India to a Massive Win Over Malaysia

The wicket-keeper batter was the 11th-over replacement, at No. 5, Kundu, who helped hold together the Indian batting until the final ball of their Under-19 Asia Cup game against Malaysia in Dubai. He finished unbeaten on 209 off 125 balls, leading India to a daunting figure of 408 for 7. Malaysia was bowled out for just 93, medium-pacer Deepesh Devendran bowling a five-wicket haul.

Despite the scale of Kundu’s innings, the game between India and Malaysia is not an official youth ODI. Thus, the only batter so far to record a double-century in an official youth ODI is Jorich Van Schalkwyk of South Africa, who made 215 off 153 balls against Zimbabwe earlier this year at Harare. 

Kundu took charge of India’s batting after Vaibhav Suryavanshi provided the early impetus with a rapid 26-ball fifty. He then forged a crucial 209-run partnership for the fourth wicket with Vedant Trivedi, who scored 90 off 106 balls, a stand that spanned from the 11th to the 41st over.

Kundu was 128 off 92 balls at the time of the dismissal of Trivedi. He scored 81 off 33 balls and took India past the 400-run mark as he accelerated in the last 10 overs. He had made 32 not out off 17 balls in his previous match with the UAE and 22 out of 32 in the previous match with Pakistan.

In the case of Malaysia, left-arm medium pacer Muhammad Akram returned a figure of 5 for 89 in ten overs, taking away the major wickets including Suryavanshi, Vihaan Malhotra and Harvansh Pangalia.

The pursuit of Malaysia started off poorly with the openers Azib Wajdi and Mohammad Hairil being dismissed after scoring ducks. Deepesh Devendran hit in every one of his first overs, leaving Malaysia at 38/7. Hamza Panggi and Jaashwin Krishnamurthi briefly resisted and had a 36-run stand for the tenth wicket, but India quickly rapped up the innings.

After beating the UAE and Pakistan, India is now leading Group A. Malaysia remains at the bottom of the group after defeats by the same opponents.

Match Summary:

India Under-19s (408 for 7) beat Malaysia (93 all-out) by 315 runs.