Last Updated:January 27, 2026, 21:07 IST
Vihaan Malhotra hit an unbeaten 109 and Abhigyan Kundu scored 61 as India crushed Zimbabwe by 204 runs in the U-19 World Cup Super Six, leading Group 2 with six points.
India beat Zimbabwe by 204 runs in their U19 World Cup Super Six clash (X/BCCI)
Young middle-order batter Vihaan Malhotra exhibited admirable composure to regain his touch and compile a fine hundred, while Abhigyan Kundu continued his sublime form as India secured a commanding 204-run victory over Zimbabwe in their opening Super Six match of the U-19 World Cup on Tuesday.
Following an all-win group-stage campaign where they emphatically defeated the USA, Bangladesh, and New Zealand, India maintained their aggressive approach, amassing a formidable 352 for 8. Malhotra anchored the innings with a cautious yet confident unbeaten 109 off 107 balls, including seven boundaries, while Kundu contributed a fluent 61 off 62 balls, featuring five boundaries and a six. The Zimbabwean bowlers struggled to contain the Indian batters.
India’s pace-bowling duo of RS Ambrish (2/19) and Henil Patel (1/25) bowled the first nine overs in tandem, reducing Zimbabwe to 24 for 3 by the ninth over. Zimbabwe eventually folded for 148 in 37.4 overs, giving India an excellent start to their Super Six campaign.
With six points, India now lead Group 2 of the Super Six. They carried four points into the Super Six, having beaten New Zealand and Bangladesh, the other qualified teams. Since the USA did not qualify, India’s points against them were not carried over.
Skipper Ayush Mhatre (3/14) used his part-time off-breaks to dismantle the lower order, while left-arm seamer Udhav Mohan also claimed three wickets. India’s dominance was clear as they brought up their first 100 runs in just 62 balls, with batting prodigy Vaibhav Suryavanshi leading the charge, scoring a brisk 52 off 30 balls, studded with four boundaries and as many sixes.
India did face a minor setback in the 11th over, losing Mhatre (21) and Suryavanshi in quick succession to slip to 101 for 3. However, Malhotra and wicketkeeper-batter Kundu steadied the innings with composure and resolve. Malhotra reached his century off 104 deliveries as India continued to accumulate runs. Zimbabwe’s persistence with the profligate pacer Nigel Mazai proved costly, with the bowler conceding 86 runs from his eight overs.
Zimbabwe used eight bowlers, but Malhotra and Kundu efficiently rotated the strike, adding a 113-run partnership for the fifth wicket. This stand lifted India from 130 for 4 to a commanding 243 for 5 by the 36th over. Kundu’s consistency was evident as he scored his second half-century in three innings. Earlier, he had scored 80 against Bangladesh and remained unbeaten on 42 against the USA in the tournament opener.
Malhotra’s return to form is promising for India, providing the team with a reliable middle-order batter. Malhotra also shared a 52-run stand for the seventh wicket with RS Ambrish (21) and added another valuable 47 runs with tailender Khilan Patel (30), helping India surpass the 350-run mark.
India’s bowlers then took centre stage, with their experienced attack conceding very little, causing Zimbabwe’s chase to falter after the early losses to Ambrish and Patel. Former Zimbabwe all-rounder Andy Blignaut’s son Kian (37 off 73 balls) and Leeroy Chiwaula (62 off 77 balls) showed grit, but they couldn’t accelerate the scoring. Zimbabwe reached 100 runs only in the 28th over, by which time the required run rate had become unmanageable.
India Vs Zimbabwe, U19 World Cup Super Six – Brief Scores:
India 352 for 8 in 50 overs (Vaibhav Suryavanshi 52, Vihaan Malhotra 109 not out, Abhigyan Kundu 61; Panashe Mazai 2/86, Tatenda Chimugoro 3/49, Simbarashe Mudzengerere 2/51) beat Zimbabwe 148 in 37.4 overs (Kian Blignaut 37, Leeroy Chiwaula 62; RS Ambrish 2/19, Henil Patel 1/25, Udhav Mohan 3/20, Ayush Mhatre 3/14) by 204 runs.
(With inputs from Agencies)
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First Published:
January 27, 2026, 21:01 IST
News cricket Vihaan Malhotra Smashes Hundred As India Outclass Zimbabwe By 204 Runs In U-19 World CupDisclaimer: Comments reflect users’ views, not News18’s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
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