India vs USA U19 World Cup 2026 Match Summary, Scorecard & Key Moments

 

India Begin U19 World Cup with a Convincing Win Over USA

India kicked off their 2026 ICC Under-19 World Cup campaign in commanding fashion, creating fans of the next generation of Indian cricketers had plenty to cheer about. In their Group A opener at the Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo, India delivered a comprehensive performance to beat the United States by six wickets.

Bowling: Henil Patel Steals the Show

The match move decisively in India's favor thanks to a sensational bowling display led by left-arm pacer Henil Patel. Choosing to bowl first, India quickly dismantled the USA batting lineup bundling them out for just 107 runs in 35.2 overs. Patel's day was nothing short of spectacular, grabbing a five-wicket haul and finishing with figures that made him clear choice for Player of the Match.

The USA struggled to find momentum, with only Nitish Sudini's gritty 36 offering resistance. India's disciplined attack kept the scoring tight and applied constant pressure a perfect recipe in tournament cricket.

Chase Under Control

India's run chase wasn't entirely smooth saw them slip to 25/3 after Vaibhav Suryavanshi was dismissed cheaply. However,

rain briefly interrupted play, and early wickets

**Abhigyan Kundu's unbeaten **42 off 41 balls anchored the innings brilliantly and

steadied the ship.

Despite the weather and early hiccups, India completed the chase in under 18 overs, finishing with plenty of time to spare a testament to their lower-middle order's temperament under pressure.

Looking Ahead: Group Action in Full Swing

India's comfortable start has given them early confidence in a group that also features rising sides battling for qualification. Other matches in the opening round included:

West Indies vs Tanzania The Windies overpowered Tanzania by five wickets, highlighting the depth of talent across teams in this edition.

Zimbabwe vs Scotland - Unfortunately, rain washed out this encounter completely, and both sides shared points without a ball bowled.

Why This Win Matters

India's dominance in this opener does more than just put them  top the Group A standings.

- it sends a message of intent to the rest of the tournament. A strong bowling effort backed by a calm batting response shows balance across the squad and hints at a team capable of going deep in the competition. Building momentum early in a World Cup even at the Under-19 level can make all the difference when knockout stages loom.

In Summary

India won by 6 wickets over USA in their opening U19 World Cup match.

Henil Patel starred with 5 wickets, earning Player of the Match honors.

Abhigyan Kundu (42)* led India through a tricky chase after an early stumble.

Other Group matches included a Win for West Indies and a washout between Zimbabwe and Scotland.

This promising start sets the tone for India's U19 World Cup journey and with performances like these, fans will be watching closely to see how far this talented squad can go.