Match Summary
- The Result: India U19 (130/3 in 13.3 overs) beat New Zealand U19 (135/10 in 36.2 overs) by 7 Wickets (DLS Method).
- Player of the Match: RS Ambrish (4/29 in 8 overs).
- Key Impact: India chased down the revised target of 130 with 23.3 overs to spare, carrying significant momentum into the Super Six.
- Standings: India finishes 1st in Group B (3 Wins, 0 Losses).
Bulawayo: Overcast conditions and a wet outfield threatened to play spoilsport at the Queens Sports Club, but nothing could dampen the spirits of the defending champions. After the match was reduced to 37 overs per side, India’s bowlers wasted no time in validating captain Ayush Mhatre’s decision to bowl first.
1. The Bowling: Ambrish Rips Through Kiwis
Pacer RS Ambrish was the wrecker-in-chief, utilizing the damp conditions to perfection to dismantle the New Zealand top order.
- Early Blows: Ambrish struck twice early, removing Hugo Bogue and Tom Jones to leave New Zealand reeling at 9/2.
- Middle Overs Squeeze: While Ambrish attacked with pace, Henil Patel (3/23) tightened the screws, trapping key batters LBW to break any building partnerships.
- The Collapse: Despite brief resistance from Callum Samson (37*), the New Zealand lineup folded for just 135 runs. Ambrish returned to clean up the tail, finishing with stellar figures of 4 for 29.
2. The Chase: “Bazball” Style
Chasing a DLS target of 130, India was in no mood to linger, treating the target like a T20 sprint.
- Suryavanshi’s Assault: Opener Vaibhav Suryavanshi set the tone with a fiery 40 off 23 balls, smashing 3 sixes and 2 fours. His aggression meant the required rate never became a factor.
- Captain’s Knock: Walking in at No. 3, skipper Ayush Mhatre played a captain’s innings, blasting an unbeaten 53 off just 27 balls. He finished the game in a hurry, dealing mostly in boundaries as India crossed the finish line in just the 14th over.
3. What This Means for the Super Six
With this win, India advances as the Group B topper (B1) and carries maximum points into the Super Six stage (Group 2).
- Next Opponent: India will face Zimbabwe (C3) in their first Super Six fixture on Tuesday, January 27.
- Big Clash: The highly anticipated match against Pakistan U19 (C2) is confirmed for Sunday, February 1 at the Queens Sports Club.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
A: RS Ambrish is a promising fast bowler from Tamil Nadu. He has been a consistent performer for India U19, known for his ability to swing the ball and pick wickets in the powerplay.
A: Not yet. India has qualified for the Super Six stage. They need to perform well in the next two matches (vs Zimbabwe and Pakistan) to book a semi-final spot.
A: Captain Ayush Mhatre was the top scorer with 53 (27)*, followed by Vaibhav Suryavanshi with 40 (23).
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Reported by: Kitto Sports Desk | Source: Cricbuzz / ICC Match Center (Jan 24, 2026).
Disclaimer: Match stats and DLS calculations are based on final official scorecards.
