U19 World Cup: India have the last laugh against Bangladesh with 18-run win after Vihaan's special

India stood tall against Bangladesh and pulled off a thrilling 18-run win via DLS method in the drama-filled Under-19 World Cup 2026 clash on January 17. It was Malhotra who turned the match on its head with a fiery four-fer and strangled Bangladesh in a 238-run chase.

India pull off thrilling win over Bangladesh

After a brief interruption due to rain, Bangladesh were handed a revised target of 165 in 29 overs. However, Indian bowlers bundled out Bangladesh for 146 and notched their second straight victory win in the ongoing tournament.

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Sooryavanshi, Kundu guide India to 238

Earlier, the 14-year-old batting sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi led the charge for India with a blistering 72 off just 67 deliveries. He was ably supported by 17-year-old wicketkeeper-batter Abhigyan Kundu, who anchored the middle order with a patient and disciplined 80. After being invited to bat first, the duo’s contributions were instrumental in guiding the Indian side to a competitive total of 238.

Sooryavanshi’s performance was nothing short of historic, as he etched his name into the record books on multiple fronts. By reaching his half-century, he became the youngest player in the history of the U19 World Cup to achieve the feat. Furthermore, during his aggressive knock, he surpassed Virat Kohli to become the highest run-scorer for India in Youth ODIs, marking a monumental shift in age-group cricket statistics.

Despite the dominance of the Indian openers, Bangladesh's Al Fahad emerged as a force to be reckoned with. The pacer spearheaded the bowling attack with a clinical performance, ultimately claiming a five-wicket haul.

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Vihaan Malhotra's magical four-fer in India's win

Despite a pre-match controversy where the captains avoided the customary handshake at the toss, the game ended on a sportsmanship-filled note, with players from both sides seen exchanging pleasantries on the field after the final wicket fell. With this result, India now sits at the top of Group B with four points from two matches, while Bangladesh and the USA are yet to get off the mark.

The chase was heavily influenced by the weather, with a second rain delay of over 90 minutes forcing a revised target of 165 from 29 overs. Initially, Bangladesh seemed to be in total control, cruising at 102 for 2 after 20 overs. At that stage, they were comfortably ahead of the DLS par score of 88 and looked poised to pull off an impressive win against their rivals.

However, the momentum shifted dramatically due to a stunning collapse sparked by Vihaan Malhotra. Despite a difficult day with the bat, Malhotra found his rhythm with his off-spin, utilizing sharp turn and bounce to tear through the middle order. He claimed four crucial wickets in a decisive spell, removing Kalam Siddiki, Sheikh Parvez Jibon, Rizan Hossan, and Samiun Basir. This sudden onslaught caused panic in the Bangladesh dugout, resulting in the loss of five wickets in just 33 deliveries.

The final hopes for Bangladesh rested with their captain, Azizul Hakim, who had played a composed and calculated innings of 51. Understanding the DLS requirements, he anchored the chase until he misjudged a waist-high full toss from left-arm spinner Khilan Patel. Looking to clear the ropes, Hakim instead found the fielder at long-on. Following his departure, Henil Patel quickly wrapped up the tail, leaving Bangladesh 19 runs short of the target and sealing a vital win for India.