IND vs USA U19 World Cup 2026: India Begin Campaign With Comfortable Win
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Bulawayo: India U19 kicked off their ICC Men’s U19 World Cup 2026 campaign with a commanding victory over the United States in a rain-affected opening match at the Queen’s Sports Club on Thursday.
After bowling USA out for just 107, India chased down a DLS-revised target of 96 in 17.2 overs, despite a brief wobble early in the chase.
Henil Patel Leads Bowling Effort
India dominated proceedings with the ball as Henil Patel claimed a five-wicket haul, dismantling the USA batting lineup. Backed by sharp fielding, India ensured USA never gained momentum and were bundled out cheaply.
Ayush Mhatre, who won the toss in overcast conditions, opted to bowl first — a decision that paid off immediately.
Kundu Steadies the Chase
India’s chase began shakily as they slipped to 25/3, raising brief concerns. However, Abhigyan Kundu showed maturity beyond his years, playing with intent and composure to guide India home. He sealed the win in style with a six.
India’s Strong Start to Title Push
India entered the tournament as one of the title favourites, having won the U19 World Cup five times previously. Led by Ayush Mhatre, the squad boasts a strong mix of explosive batting and versatile bowling options, with players like Vaibhav Suryavanshi, Vedant Trivedi, Vihaan Malhotra and Henil Patel providing depth.
India have won 16 of their last 21 Youth ODIs, underlining their strong form heading into the tournament.
USA, led by Utkarsh Srivastava, fought hard but were unable to match India’s all-round dominance in their opening fixture.
Our Thoughts
India’s comprehensive win sends a strong early message in the U19 World Cup. While the chase had a brief hiccup, the bowling performance and calm finish underline why India remain firm contenders for a sixth title.