Vihaan Malhotra’s Heroics Propel India Over Zimbabwe in U19 World Cup Super Six Clash

In their opening match of the U-19 World Cup Super Six, India claimed a resounding 204-run victory over Zimbabwe, thanks to an impressive display of batting and bowling. Young middle-order batter Vihaan Malhotra displayed remarkable composure, scoring an unbeaten century to guide India to a formidable total. His innings of 109 runs off 107 balls, punctuated by seven boundaries, anchored India’s innings. Meanwhile, Abhigyan Kundu continued his excellent form, contributing a fluent 61 runs.

India, having swept through the group stage triumphantly by defeating the USA, Bangladesh, and New Zealand, carried their aggressive play into the Super Six, accumulating a colossal 352 for 8 in their innings. The hapless Zimbabwe bowlers struggled as India’s batters attacked with ease.

On the bowling front, India started with a pace assault from RS Ambrish (2/19) and Henil Patel (1/25), who overwhelmed Zimbabwe’s batters early on, reducing them to 24 for 3 by the ninth over. Skipper Ayush Mhatre, with his part-time off-breaks, and right-arm seamer Udhav Mohan, both claimed three wickets each, wrapping up Zimbabwe’s innings for just 148 in 37.4 overs.

India leads Group 2 of the Super Six with six points, having carried four points from group victories against Bangladesh and New Zealand. Despite a brief setback in their innings losing quick wickets in the 11th over, Malhotra and wicketkeeper-batter Kundu stabilized the innings with a 113-run fifth-wicket partnership, lifting India from 130 for 4 to 243 for 5.

Malhotra’s return to form is particularly promising for India’s middle order, an area of concern in the group stage. He also contributed to a 52-run partnership with RS Ambrish and a further 47-run stand with Khilan Patel, pushing India past the 350-run mark.

Zimbabwe’s chase faltered significantly after losing three early wickets, managing only 148 runs. Kian Blignaut and Leeroy Chiwaula showed some resilience with scores of 37 and 62, respectively, but couldn’t manage a competitive run rate.

In another Group 2 game, Pakistan’s Abdul Subhan and Ali Raza dismantled New Zealand’s batting, claiming seven wickets between them and restricting New Zealand to 110. Sameer Minhas’ unbeaten 76 helped Pakistan chase down the target in just 18 overs.

Published on January 27, 2026.