Punjab Newsline,Sports:
14-Year-Old Vaibhav’s Mature Batting Secures India’s Second Consecutive Win, Keeps Dominance in Group B
India continued its strong start in the ICC Under-19 Men’s Cricket World Cup as the Men in Blue defeated Bangladesh by 18 runs on Saturday, securing their second win of the tournament. The star of the match was 14-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, whose match-winning innings earned high praise from India’s U-19 captain Ayush Mhatre.
Mhatre highlighted Sooryavanshi’s composure and professionalism in a high-pressure situation. He noted that the wicket was a bit sticky and the ball was coming slower than usual, making batting challenging. The team needed someone to anchor the innings, and Sooryavanshi did just that, scoring a crucial 72 runs off 67 balls.
India batted first and posted 238 runs in their 50 overs. Abhigyan Kundu played a steady innings, scoring 80 runs off 112 balls, while complementing Sooryavanshi’s aggressive style. The two shared a 62-run partnership for the fourth wicket, providing a solid platform for the team. Kanishk Chouhan also contributed with a quick 28 off 26 balls to help India finish strongly.
Rain affected Bangladesh’s chase, and the revised target under the DLS method was set at 165 runs from 29 overs. However, India’s bowlers put on a disciplined performance, restricting Bangladesh to 146 all out in 28.3 overs, securing an 18-run victory.
Mhatre also praised Kundu’s consistent form in the tournament and described the win as a significant achievement for the team. He added that the focus remains on playing their own cricket rather than overthinking the game.
Earlier in the tournament, India had defeated the USA by six wickets (via DLS method) on the opening day. With two consecutive wins, India continues to top Group B. The team will now have a week-long break before facing New Zealand in their final group stage match on Friday, January 24, ahead of the Super Six stage.