Bulawayo, Jan 17 (.) A blend of composure, flair and match-winning impact from Abhigyan Kundu, Vaibhav Suryavanshi and Vihaan Malhotra powered India Under-19 to a gripping 18-run victory over Bangladesh Under-19 in a rain-affected Group A encounter of the ICC Under-19 World Cup 2026 at the Queens Sports Club here on Saturday.
Batting first after Bangladesh chose to bowl, India’s innings was shaped by a contrasting partnership between the aggressive Suryavanshi and the calm, resolute Kundu. After early setbacks that saw captain Ayush Mhatre and Vedant Trivedi depart cheaply, 14-year-old Suryavanshi took charge, counter-attacking with remarkable confidence.
He peppered the off-side with crisp cuts and drives and showcased his power with a series of commanding pulls, racing to 72 off 67 balls with six foursan and three sixes. His half-century came off a front-foot no-ball, underlining the pressure he exerted on the Bangladesh bowlers during the powerplay and middle overs.
At the other end, Kundu played the anchor’s role to perfection. Absorbing pressure as wickets fell around him, the wicketkeeper-batsman paced his innings astutely, rotating the strike and punishing loose deliveries.
Kundu brought up a vital fifty in the 37th over and went on to score a well-judged 80 off 112 balls. A key moment arrived when he was dropped at backward square leg, a reprieve that proved costly for Bangladesh as Kundu later unleashed timely sixes to push India past the 230 mark.
India eventually posted 238 all out in 48.4 overs, with Al Fahad’s five-wicket haul keeping the total in check but unable to erase the foundation laid by Suryavanshi and Kundu.
Defending a revised DLS target of 165 in 29 overs, it was Malhotra who turned the contest decisively in India’s favour. Having earlier contributed with the bat, Malhotra produced a spell of controlled aggression with the ball, finishing with four wickets for just 14 runs.
His wickets included a sharp caught-and-bowled effort to remove Kalam Siddiki Aleen and timely breakthroughs that dismantled Bangladesh’s middle order just as the chase threatened to gather momentum.
Malhotra’s impact was not limited to his bowling. The defining moment of the match came in the final over when, stationed in the deep, he sprinted across the outfield to his right and pulled off a sensational two-handed catch to dismiss Iqbal Hossain Emon, sealing India’s victory and underlining his all-round influence on the game.
Bangladesh skipper Md Azizul Hakim Tamim fought hard with a composed 51, but once he fell, the chase unraveled under sustained pressure. India’s discipline in the field, combined with Malhotra’s decisive spell, ensured Bangladesh were bowled out for 146 in 28.3 overs.
From Suryavanshi’s fearless strokeplay, through Kundu’s match-defining stability, to Malhotra’s game-closing brilliance with ball and in the field, India’s win was a testament to the impact of their young trio, who stood tall at different phases to script a memorable Group A victory.
. . .