Punjab Newsline,Sports:
India beats USA by six wickets in Bulawayo, next match against Bangladesh
India began their campaign in the Under-19 World Cup 2026 on January 15 with a convincing win against the USA, held in Zimbabwe and Namibia. Team India defeated the United States by six wickets in their opening match, marking a strong start to the tournament.
In the match played in Bulawayo on Thursday, India won the toss and opted to bowl first. The Indian bowlers restricted the USA to 107 runs, taking all 10 wickets. Henil Patel starred with the ball, taking 5 wickets for just 16 runs in 7 overs, including one maiden over.
India’s batting innings faced interruptions due to lighting issues, and then rain caused further delays. After a long break, the match was restarted and reduced to a 37-over game, with India set a revised target of 96 runs.
India chased the target comfortably, reaching 96 runs in just 17.2 overs, securing a six-wicket victory. The win gave the team a strong start in the tournament, with both the bowlers and batsmen playing key roles in the performance.
Team India will now face Bangladesh in their next Group A match on Saturday. The team aims to maintain consistent performance and wins to ensure smooth progression from the group stage to the semifinals.
This victory also boosted the team’s confidence. The balanced performance by both the bowlers and batsmen highlighted India’s strength and strategy in the tournament. Cricket experts believe that the young Indian team has the potential to perform strongly throughout the World Cup.
Henil Patel’s spin bowling troubled the American batsmen and proved to be a turning point in the match. Meanwhile, India’s batsmen chased the target efficiently, ensuring a comfortable win for the team.
The team’s overall performance has impressed fans and cricket analysts, creating expectations that India could emerge as a strong contender in the 2026 U19 World Cup.