IND vs ENG: Suryavanshi-Mhatre Falter, Rew's Hundred Helps England Beat India To Level Series

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IND vs ENG: England Under-19s edged past India in a thrilling contest to clinch a narrow one-wicket win in the second Youth ODI at Northampton on Monday, levelling the five-match series 1-1.

Skipper Thomas Rew emerged as the match-winner with a magnificent century, guiding his side to a tense victory with just three balls remaining.

India, coming off a dominant six-wicket win in the opening ODI at Hove, were asked to bat first after losing the toss. They posted a competitive total of 290 in 49 overs, despite losing captain Ayush Mhatre on the very first ball. Vaibhav Suryavanshi (45), Vihaan Malhotra (49), Rahul Kumar (47), Kanishk Chouhan (45), and Abhigyan Kundu (32) chipped in with valuable contributions to steer the innings after the early setback.

However, England's bowlers made regular inroads. AM French starred with the ball, returning figures of 4/71 in his 10 overs. Jack Home and Alex Green also played crucial supporting roles, claiming three wickets each. Despite conceding 32 extras, including 26 wides, England managed to restrict India under the 300-run mark.

In response, England's chase got off to a rocky start. They lost opener Ben Dawkins early, and the top order stuttered to 47/3 within 12 overs. RS Ambrish was instrumental in putting India on top at that stage, striking thrice and eventually ending with figures of 4/80.

But Rew, the English skipper, turned the game around with a commanding innings, scoring a century laden with 16 boundaries and six maximums. His 123-run fourth-wicket partnership with Rocky Flintoff (dismissed for 52) brought England back into the game.

India struck back after Rew's dismissal in the 40th over to spark a late collapse, reducing England to 254/8 in the 46th. Ambrish then removed Alex Green in the penultimate over, increasing India's hopes as England needed seven off the final over with just one wicket in hand.

But nerves of steel from Sebastian Morgan, who found the boundary off Yudhajit Guha's third ball in the final over, ensured England got over the line at 291/9, sealing an unforgettable one-wicket win.

The victory levels the series 1-1, setting the stage for a gripping third Youth ODI. India will look to regroup and address the missed opportunities, especially after letting slip what seemed like a winning position.