Bulawayo January 15, 2026 : Five time champions India began their ICC Under 19 World Cup 2026 campaign with a clinical six wicket victory over the USA at the Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo on Thursday, January 15, 2026. The match, which started at 1:00 PM IST, saw the Indian side overcome multiple weather interruptions and a revised target to secure full points in their Group B opener. After the American side was bundled out for a modest total, a lengthy rain delay and lightning threats forced officials to adjust the target to 96 runs from 37 overs under the DLS method, a task India completed in the 18th over.
The foundation of the win was laid by right arm seamer Henil Patel, who produced a devastating spell of 5/16. Patel struck in his very first over and later dismantled the USA middle order with a double blow in the 12th over, removing captain Utkarsh Srivastava for a duck and Arjun Mahesh for 16. Despite a gritty 36 from Nitish Sudini, the USA innings struggled to gain momentum against a disciplined Indian attack and eventually folded for 107 in 35.2 overs.
India’s chase faced early jitters when teenage sensation Vaibhav Suryavanshi fell for just 2, and both captain Ayush Mhatre and Vedant Trivedi departed shortly after the restart. With the scoreboard reading 25/3, wicketkeeper batter Abhigyan Kundu stepped in to anchor the innings. Kundu played a mature, unbeaten knock of 42 off 41 balls, finding the fence five times and sealing the victory with a powerful six over long on at 7:40 PM IST. His composed partnership with vice captain Vihaan Malhotra ensured India avoided any further setbacks, providing a steady start to their quest for a record extending sixth title.
Brief Scores:
USA U19: 107 all out in 35.2 overs (Nitish Sudini 36, Sahil Garg 16; Henil Patel 5/16)
India U19: 99/4 in 17.2 overs (Target 96 via DLS) (Abhigyan Kundu 42*, Ayush Mhatre 19; Ritvik Appidi 2/24, Utkarsh Srivastava 1/17)
Result: India U19 won by 6 wickets (DLS Method).
