East London (South Africa): India Under-19 suffered a five-wicket loss to South Africa Under-19 in the third and final Youth ODI in East London on Monday (December 30).

Despite the loss, India claimed the bilateral series trophy 2-1. They had earlier taken an unassailable 2-0 lead with victories in the opening two matches.

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The tie, which was inconsequential, India were asked to bat first and they were restricted to 192/8. In reply, the hosts won with five wickets to spare.

Jonathan Bird was the star for South Africa as he scored 88 not out. For India, captain Priyam Garg was the top scorer with 52. N Tilak Varma made 25.

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Yashasvi Jaiswal took two wickets for India. For South Africa, Pheku Moletsane accounted for two victims.

India Under-19s are in South Africa to prepare for the ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup. After this series, they play a four-nation tournament which also involves South Africa, Zimbabwe and New Zealand Under-19 teams.

ICC Under-19 World Cup will be played in South Africa from January 17 to February 9. There are 16 teams in the fray. India have won the title four times and they are the defending champions.

Brief scores

India Under-19: 192/8 (Priyam Garg 52, N Tilak Varma 25; Pheku Moletsane 2/36) lost to South Africa Under-19: 193/5 (Jonathan Bird 88 not out, Andrew Louw 31; Yashasvi Jaiswal 2/40)

India U-19 squad for tour of South Africa

Priyam Garg (captain), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Tilak Varma, Divyaansh Saxena, Dhruv Chand Jurel (vice-captain & wicket-keeper), Shashwat Rawat, Divyansh Joshi, Shubhang Hegde, Ravi Bishnoi, Akash Singh, Kartik Tyagi, Atharva Ankolekar, Kumar Kushagra (wicket-keeper), Sushant Mishra, Vidyadhar Patil, CTL Rakshan.

India U-19 squad for World Cup

Priyam Garg (captain), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Tilak Varma, Divyaansh Saxena, Dhruv Chand Jurel (vice-captain & wicket-keeper), Shashwat Rawat, Divyansh Joshi, Shubhang Hegde, Ravi Bishnoi, Akash Singh, Kartik Tyagi, Atharva Ankolekar, Kumar Kushagra (wicket-keeper), Sushant Mishra, Vidyadhar Patil.