Henil Patel’s fifer helps India beat USA

The Indian cricket team beat the United States of America by six wickets via DLS method in its rain-interrupted U19 World Cup 2026 Group B opener at the Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, on Thursday.

Abhigyan Kundu was the top-scorer in the match with an unbeaten 42 off 41 balls, while Henil Patel was the pick of the bowlers after finishing with figures of 5/16 - his career-best in youth ODIs.

Set a revised target of 99 to chase due to rain, India were rocked early after the departures of teenage prodigy Vaibhav Suryavanshi, Vedant Trivedi and skipper Ayush Mhatre in the first six overs.

However, Vihaan Malhotra and Abhigyan Kundu combined to put on a 45-run partnership for the fourth wicket and arrest the slide for India.

After Vihaan Malhotra departed in the 13th over with India on 70/4, Kanishk Chouhan joined Abhigyan Kundu at the crease and helped guide India to a convincing six-wicket win with 118 balls to spare.

Earlier in the day, USA, put into bat first, struggled to get a foothold in the match as they lost wickets at regular intervals and were bundled out for 107 in 35.2 overs.

Opening bowlers Deepesh Devendran and Henil Patel made early inroads into the USA top-order as the Indian duo combined to reduce the Americans to 35/4 at the end of the 12th over.

Henil Patel led the way with three scalps, while Deepesh Devendran contributed with a wicket as the American batters struggled to get going.

RS Ambrish and Khilan Patel also chipped in with a wicket apiece before Henil Patel returned to the attack and dismissed Sabrish Prasad and Rishabh Shimpi off consecutive deliveries to complete his five-wicket haul.

Vaibhav Suryavanshi picked up the last wicket of the innings when he dismissed America’s top-scorer Nitish Sudini for 36 in the 36th over.

Five-time champions India will play their next match at the U19 World Cup 2026 against Bangladesh at Bulawayo on Saturday.

The 2026 U19 World Cup is the 16th edition of the 50-over age-group cricket tournament and features 16 teams.

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