India U19 Crush New Zealand to Seal Perfect Group Stage
BULAWAYO, 24 January 2026 – A dominant all-round performance propelled India Under-19s to a comprehensive seven-wicket victory over New Zealand Under-19s at the Queens Sports Club on Saturday, completing a perfect group stage campaign at the ICC Under-19 World Cup 2026. Captain Ayush Mhatre’s explosive 53 from 27 balls headlined a ruthless chase after his bowlers had dismantled the Kiwi batting line-up.
Match Summary
In a rain-affected contest reduced to 37 overs per side, India won the toss and elected to field in damp conditions. Their decision was vindicated immediately as the pace duo of R.S. Ambrish and Henil Patel ripped through New Zealand’s top order, reducing them to 17 for 3 inside eight overs. The Kiwis never recovered, eventually bowled out for 135 in the 37th over. In reply, India’s batters, led by Mhatre and the prodigious Vaibhav Sooryavanshi (40 off 23), chased down a revised target of 130 with ease, reaching 130 for 3 in just 13.3 overs.
Key Performances
The Indian bowling attack functioned as a cohesive unit. Seamer R.S. Ambrish was the chief destroyer, claiming 4 for 29 from his eight overs, while Henil Patel provided excellent support with 3 for 23. For New Zealand, only Callum Samson (37 not out) and Selwin Sanjay (28) offered meaningful resistance with a 53-run partnership for the eighth wicket.
The chase was a demonstration of power-hitting. After the early loss of Aaron George, Sooryavanshi and Mhatre combined for a devastating 76-run stand from just 39 deliveries. Mhatre’s innings, featuring two fours and six sixes, effectively ended the contest before the halfway mark of the innings.
Match Scorecard
| Innings | Key Details |
|---|---|
| New Zealand U19 | 135 all out (36.2 overs) Callum Samson 37*, Selwin Sanjay 28 R.S. Ambrish 4/29, Henil Patel 3/23 |
| India U19 (Target: 130) | 130/3 (13.3 overs) Ayush Mhatre 53 (27b), Vaibhav Sooryavanshi 40 (23b) Mason Clarke 1/14 |
| Result | India U19 won by 7 wickets (DLS method) |
| Player of the Match | Ayush Mhatre (India U19) |
Tournament Context
The victory ensures India finish at the top of Group B with three wins from three matches, carrying four points and a healthy net run rate into the Super Six stage. For New Zealand, the defeat is a setback, but they progress to the next round having secured two points from earlier washouts against the USA and Bangladesh. Both points and net run rate from matches against fellow qualifiers are carried forward, making this result significant for the semi-final race. India will face Zimbabwe in their first Super Six match, while New Zealand are scheduled to meet Pakistan.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was the Player of the Match?
India Under-19 captain Ayush Mhatre was awarded Player of the Match for his match-winning, rapid-fire half-century of 53 runs from just 27 deliveries.
Did rain affect the match?
Yes, rain prior to the start and during New Zealand’s innings led to a delayed toss and a reduction in the match to 37 overs per side. The Duckworth-Lewis-Stern (DLS) method was used to set India’s revised target.
What is the format for the Super Six stage?
Teams carry forward points earned against other sides that qualified from their initial group. They then play cross-group matches against qualifiers from other pools. The top teams from each Super Six group will advance to the semi-finals.