Youth Test: Baloda’s six-for leaves the Aussies in a bind

Tanmay Baloda had a long, laborious day. The left-arm spinner bowled 25 overs, including 18 in his first spell.

But it was all worth it when he leapt in joy after picking up a six-wicket haul on the opening day of the second youth Test between India under-19 and Australia under-19 here at the Narendra Modi Stadium on Monday.

Baloda finished with six for 32 and helped the host bowl out the visitor for 174. India u-19 ended the day 136 runs behind, but lost openers Lakshya Raichandani and Sagar Virk to bring Australia back in the game.

Baloda had taken centre stage earlier.

The 18-year-old broke three acts of resistance from the Australians. The first came when Neel Patel (31) and Eli Brain put on 22 after Priyanshu Singh and Mohit Ulva reduced Australia to 28 for two.

Baloda immediately trapped Brain in front for four, and when Neel danced down the track, the wicketkeeper stumped him. From the other end, Ayaan Akram had Blake Cattle poking, while Baloda had Zed Hollick caught behind.

After Australia lost four wickets inside five overs, Charlie Henderson (37) and Jacob Pietz (26) put up the second act. The duo, solid in defence, tested India’s patience, adding 70 runs off 242 deliveries for the seventh wicket.

However, right after tea, Baloda broke through Pietz’ defence, and soon Akram had Henderson caught at first slip.

But Australia fought back through Thomas Vaseo and Patrick Sullivan. Baloda, though, did what he had done throughout the day — break the tailenders’ resistance.

The scores: Australia u-19 174 in 73 overs (Tanmay Baloda 6/32) vs. India u-19 38/2 in 15 overs. Toss: India.