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Tanmay Baloda’s Six-Wicket Haul Puts Australia Under-19 Under Pressure Tanmay Baloda produced a superb bowling performance as India Under-19 dismissed Australia Under-19 for just 174 on the opening day of the second Youth Test in Ahmedabad. The left-arm spinner claimed 6 for 32 from 25 overs, including an outstanding 11 maidens, as Australia struggled to build a substantial first-innings total after India won the toss and elected to bowl.  Australia's problems began early. Captain Matthew Lough was dismissed for five in the second over before Hayden Barbulovic fell with the total on 28. Baloda then entered the attack and quickly began causing further damage. Eli Brain was trapped lbw for four before Baloda removed Neel Patel for 31, with the batter stumped. Aayan Akram added another breakthrough by dismissing Blake Cattle for eight, while Baloda soon accounted for Zed Hollick. At 65 for six, Australia were in serious trouble. The visitors had lost four wickets for only 15 runs, leaving Charlie Henderson and Jacob Pietz with the difficult task of rebuilding the innings.  Henderson and Pietz responded with a patient seventh-wicket partnership worth 70 runs. Henderson faced 147 deliveries for his 37, while Pietz contributed 26 from 107 balls. Baloda eventually broke the partnership by bowling Pietz, before Akram dismissed Henderson three overs later. The Australian lower order added another 35 runs, but Baloda returned to remove Thomas Vaseo and Patrick Sullivan to complete his six-wicket haul.  India's wicketkeeper Abhipray Biswas also enjoyed an impressive day behind the stumps, finishing with three catches and two stumpings as Australia were bowled out in the 73rd over.  India's reply was not entirely straightforward, however. Australia struck twice before the close, reducing the hosts to 38 for 2. Lakshya Raichandani was dismissed for one, while Sagar Virk also fell before stumps. Kushagra Ojha remained unbeaten on 13 and captain Yashbardhan Chauhan was not out on seven when play ended. India therefore finished the day 136 runs behind Australia's first-innings score, with eight wickets still available.  The result leaves India in a strong position after the opening day, particularly following Baloda's remarkable spell. The spinner was not originally part of India's squad for the series but was brought into the multi-day side after a squad change earlier in the campaign.  India already lead the two-match Youth Test series 1-0 after winning the opening match in Rajkot by an innings. Australia will therefore need a major improvement with both bat and ball if they are to level the series in Ahmedabad. For Baloda, meanwhile, his 6 for 32 represents an important performance on the international junior stage and gives India a significant advantage heading into the second day.

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