India Secures Thrilling Victory Over Bangladesh in U19 World Cup Clash

India Triumphs in Rain-Shortened Match

In a gripping encounter in Bulawayo on January 17, India, led by Ayush Mhatre, clinched an exciting 18-run victory against Bangladesh in the seventh match of the ICC U19 World Cup 2026. The match was curtailed to 29 overs due to rain interruptions.

This win marks India's second consecutive success 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 began poorly, losing opener Zawad Abrar for just five runs in the first over, dismissed by Deepesh Devendran.

MD Rifat Beg and Md Azizul Hakim Tamim steadied the innings, bringing the score to 30/1 in four overs, and reaching 54/1 by the end of the first ten overs.

However, Kanishk Choushan struck in the 12th over, removing Rifat Beg for 37 runs off 37 balls, which included four boundaries and a six. Rain then interrupted the match, leading to a revised target of 165 runs for Bangladesh under the DLS method.

Upon resuming, Bangladesh crossed the 100-run mark in the 20th over. Vihaan Malhotra dismissed Kalam Siddiki Aleen for 15 runs in the 22nd over.

Azizul Hakim Tamim reached his fifty off 70 balls but was dismissed by Malhotra shortly after, leaving Bangladesh at 125/4.

Khilan Patel then took the crucial wicket of Tamim for 51 runs, triggering a collapse as Bangladesh lost several wickets in quick succession, ultimately being bowled out for 146 runs in 28.3 overs.

Vihaan Malhotra's impressive figures of 4/14 in four overs were pivotal, while Khilan Patel took two wickets, and Kanishk Chouhan, Henil Patel, and Deepesh Devendran each claimed one.

Earlier, India set a competitive total of 238 runs, thanks to half-centuries from Vaibhav Suryvanshi and Abhinav Kundu. After Bangladesh won the toss and opted to field, a notable moment occurred when Indian captain Ayush Mhatre and Bangladesh's vice-captain Zawad Abrar skipped the customary handshake, drawing attention amid the ongoing ICC T20 World Cup 2026 controversy.

India's innings began shakily, losing Mhatre and Vedant Trivedi early. However, Suryvanshi, at just 14 years old, scored a remarkable 72 runs off 67 balls, becoming the youngest player to score a fifty in the Men's U19 World Cup.

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