India Triumphs Over Bangladesh in Rain-Shortened U19 World Cup Match

In a thrilling encounter at the ICC U19 World Cup 2026, India emerged victorious over Bangladesh by 18 runs in a rain-shortened match. Led by Ayush Mhatre, India showcased a strong bowling performance, with Vihaan Malhotra earning the Player of the Match title. Bangladesh struggled in their chase after a shaky start, ultimately falling short of the revised target. Earlier, India set a competitive total of 238 runs, bolstered by half-centuries from Vaibhav Suryvanshi and Abhinav Kundu. This victory marks India's second consecutive win in the tournament, following their earlier triumph against the USA.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jan 17, 2026, 23:28 IST

India Claims Victory in Rain-Affected Match

Led by Ayush Mhatre, the Indian U19 cricket team secured a thrilling 18-run victory against Bangladesh in a rain-affected match during the ICC U19 World Cup 2026 on Saturday. This win marks India's second consecutive triumph in the tournament, following their earlier victory against the USA. Vihaan Malhotra's outstanding bowling performance earned him the Player of the Match title.

Bangladesh's Chase Begins Poorly

Bangladesh's innings got off to a rocky start, losing opener Zawad Abrar for just five runs in the first over, dismissed by Deepesh Devendran. However, MD Rifat Beg and Md Azizul Hakim Tamim managed to stabilize the innings, bringing the score to 30/1 within four overs. By the end of the first ten overs, Bangladesh had reached 54/1.

Rain Disrupts the Match

In the 12th over, Kanishk Choushan took the crucial wicket of Rifat Beg, who scored 37 runs off 37 balls, including four boundaries and a six. Rain interrupted play during the 18th over, leading to a reduction of the match to 29 overs, with Bangladesh's target adjusted to 165 runs according to the DLS method.

Bangladesh Struggles in the Chase

Upon resuming, Bangladesh crossed the 100-run mark in the 20th over. Vihaan Malhotra struck again, dismissing Kalam Siddiki Aleen for 15 runs in the 22nd over. Azizul Hakim Tamim reached his fifty off 70 balls but was dismissed shortly after by Khilan Patel, who also took out several other key players as Bangladesh crumbled to 146 runs in 28.3 overs.

India's Bowling Excellence

Vihaan Malhotra's impressive bowling figures of 4 wickets for 14 runs in four overs were pivotal in India's victory. Khilan Patel contributed with two wickets, while Kanishk Chouhan, Henil Patel, and Deepesh Devendran each took one wicket.

India Sets a Competitive Total

Earlier in the match, half-centuries from Vaibhav Suryvanshi and Abhinav Kundu helped India post a total of 238 runs against Bangladesh. After winning the toss, Bangladesh opted to field, leading to a notable moment when Indian captain Ayush Mhatre and Bangladesh vice-captain Zawad Abrar skipped the customary handshake, drawing attention amid ongoing controversies in the ICC T20 World Cup 2026.

India faced early setbacks, losing captain Mhatre for six runs and Vedant Trivedi for a golden duck in the third over. However, Suryvanshi's explosive batting saw him score 72 runs off 67 balls, making him the youngest player to achieve a fifty in the Men's U19 World Cup at just 14 years and 296 days.

Despite losing wickets, Kundu's steady performance, scoring 80 runs off 112 balls, helped India reach a total of 238 runs before being bowled out in 48.4 overs, with Al Fahad taking five wickets for 38 runs.