Chennai, Oct 7 (PTI) In a spirited display of skills, India U-19 team dominated the first day of the second youth Test against Australia, leaving the visitors stunned and reeling under their mighty batting assault.

At the forefront of the carnage was Nitya Pandya, who wielded his bat with unbridled ferocity, hammering an unbeaten 94 and setting the foundation for a resounding start by the hosts. Pandya, who shouldered the responsibility of spearheading the Indian batting order, remained calm under pressure, displaying an exemplary brand of cricket that left onlookers holding their breath in awe.

Pandya was ably supported by other half-centurions, who pilled on the misery for the Australians. The home team managed to rustle up a colossal 316 for five on the first day, thereby securing a vital upper hand in the Test match.

The Australia U-19 side, renowned for its world-class cricketing prowess, would be scratching its head in dismay, searching for a recipe to contain the relentless onslaught from their Indian counterparts. Not surprisingly, Pandya was the top-scoring batsman, flirting with a well-deserved century and falling a mere six runs short of what could have been a memorable three-figure mark on the board.

Given the sheer magnitude of the opening day score, India U-19 appears well-placed to deal a decisive blow early on in the contest. However, cricket being an unpredictable sport, the Australians may still conjure a miracle of their own to turn things around and leave their fans with cause for celebration.