India’s Vihaan Malhotra plays a shot during their ICC Men’s U19 World Cup Super Sixes match against Zimbabwe at the Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo on January 27, 2026. — ICC
BULAWAYO: Vihaan Malhotra’s unbeaten century, followed by a collective bowling effort, led India to a thumping 204-run victory over co-host Zimbabwe in the sixth match of the ICC Men’s U19 World Cup 2026 Super Sixes stage here at the Queens Sports Club on Tuesday.
Zimbabwe captain Simbarashe Mudzengerere’s decision to field first backfired as the five-time champions racked up a humongous total of 352/8 in their 50 overs.
Leading the way for India was middle-order Malhotra, who top-scored with a brisk 109 not out from 107 deliveries, laced with seven fours.
Malhotra walked into bat after left-handed opener Vaibhav Sooryavanshi laid a solid platform for a massive total with a blistering half-century, and was later involved in a century-plus partnership with wicketkeeper batter Abhigyan Kundu, who chipped in with a 62-ball 61.
All-rounder Khilan Patel later bolstered India’s total with a swashbuckling 30-run cameo, coming off just 12 deliveries and featuring four boundaries, including three sixes.
Tatenda Chimugoro was the pick of the bowlers for Zimbabwe, taking three wickets for 49 runs in his eight overs, followed by Panashe Mazai and Simbarashe Mudzengerere two each, while Dhruv Patel could claim one.
Set to chase a daunting 353-run target, Zimbabwe’s batting unit could yield 148 before getting booked in 37.4 overs despite Leeroy Chiwaula’s cautious half-century.
Chiwaula remained the top-scorer for the home side with a 77-ball 62, comprising seven fours and a six.
He was also involved in a crucial 69-run partnership for the fourth wicket with Kian Blignaut, who made a scratchy 37 off 73 deliveries, before putting 49 runs for the fifth wicket with Tatenda Chimugoro, the only other to amass double figures, scoring a run-a-ball 29.
Udhav Mohan and captain Ayush Mhatre jointly spearhead India’s bowling charge with three wickets each, followed by RS Ambrish with two, while Henil Patel and Khital chipped in with one apiece.
The resounding victory lifted India to the summit of Group 2 of the U19 World Cup 2026 Super Sixes with six points in three matches, pushing down England, who boast a similar record but an inferior net run rate.
Two-time champions Pakistan hold third spot with four points in three matches and next face India in the high-octane fixture at the same venue on Sunday.