India made it to the top spot in Group B of U19 World Cup 2026 after a dominant seven-wicket victory over New Zealand this Saturday in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe. Having already defeated the USA and Bangladesh in their earlier fixtures, India maintained their perfect record despite a rain-affected match. This result successfully propels India into Group 2 of the Super Six stage, where they will compete alongside cricket heavyweights England, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Zimbabwe, and New Zealand.
India thrash New Zealand in U-19 World Cup 2026
After winning the toss and opting to bowl on a challenging surface, the Indian bowling unit never allowed the New Zealand batters to find their rhythm. RS Ambrish was the standout performer, delivering a sharp and incisive spell to claim figures of 4/29 across his eight overs. The match was eventually reduced to 37 overs per side due to weather, and India's disciplined attack managed to bundle out the Kiwis for just 135 runs in 36.2 overs.
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Ayush Mhatre's fifty in India's win
India’s chase of a revised target of 130 got off to a rocky start with early wickets, but the team quickly regained control. Captain Ayush Mhatre and Vaibhav Suryavanshi anchored the innings with a decisive 76-run partnership, shifting the momentum back in India's favor. Their aggressive batting ensured that India reached the target in just 13.3 overs, providing a significant boost to their net run rate.
With the Super Six stage now set, fans are eagerly anticipating the high-stakes clash between India and Pakistan. That match is scheduled to take place in Bulawayo on February 1, as both teams vie for a spot in the knockout rounds.
The New Zealand top order struggled immensely at the start of the innings, crumbling to a precarious 22/5 within the first 10 overs. While Jacob Cotter and Jaskaran Sandhu attempted to stabilize the innings with modest contributions of 23 and 18 respectively, the Indian bowlers maintained a tight grip on the run rate. Their persistent pressure left the Kiwis reeling at 69/7 by the 25th over, threatening a total collapse.
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RS Ambrish burns bright with fiery four
A late-innings resurgence provided New Zealand with some much-needed respectability, thanks to an 81-run partnership for the eighth wicket. Callum Samson remained unbeaten on 37, while Selwin Sanjay added a gritty 28 to push the final total past the 130-run mark. On the bowling side, RS Ambrish was the star with four wickets, supported by Henil Patel’s 3/23 and disciplined contributions from Khilan Patel, Mohamed Enaan, and Kanishk Chouhan.
India’s pursuit of the target began with a minor setback when opener Aaron George was dismissed in the second over. However, the discomfort was short-lived as Ayush Mhatre and Vaibhav Suryavanshi launched a counter-attack. The duo shared a blistering 76-run stand that effectively decided the outcome. Suryavanshi struck a quick-fire 40 off 23 balls, while captain Mhatre played a captain's knock of 53 from just 27 balls, including six massive sixes, propelling India past 100 runs in under ten overs. Following the dismissal of the set batters, Vihaan Malhotra and Vedant Trivedi paired up for an unbeaten 29-run stand to finish the chase in just 13.3 overs. This comprehensive victory ensures that the five-time champions carry significant momentum into the Super Six stage. India are now scheduled to face hosts Zimbabwe this Tuesday in their first match of the next round.