Bulawayo— In a match that felt like a test of nerves and rain delays, India’s Under-19 team pulled off a remarkable comeback to beat Bangladesh U19 by 18 runs (DLS method) in their ICC U19 Cricket World Cup 2026 Group B clash at Queens Sports Club on Saturday night.
The rain-interrupted contest looked firmly in Bangladesh’s favour for much of the chase after India posted 238 in 48.4 overs — powered by a brilliant 72 from Vaibhav Suryavanshi and 80 from Abhigyan Kundu. Bangladesh were cruising at 102/2 in pursuit of a revised target of 165 in 29 overs when the contest took a dramatic turn.
Enter off-spinner Vihaan Malhotra.
“We believed we could turn it around”
Malhotra tore through the Bangladeshi middle order with a stunning 4 for 14, triggering an astonishing collapse where Bangladesh lost 8 wickets for just 40 runs and were eventually bundled out for 146 in 28.3 overs.
“It was a nerve-wracking match, and in the end, we are on the winning side, which is good for us. We knew we could do it,” Malhotra said after being named Player of the Match.
His spell included a breathtaking catch near the boundary that swung momentum entirely in India’s favour — a moment that had fans on their feet.
Handshake Row? Sorted.
Before the match, there was a minor stir when India captain Ayush Mhatre and Bangladesh vice-captain Zawad Abrar didn’t shake hands at the toss, prompting reactions on social media. The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) quickly clarified that this was unintentional, a “momentary lapse in concentration”, and not a sign of disrespect.
More importantly, players from both teams exchanged handshakes and warm greetings after the game, emphasizing the true spirit of cricket.
With this exhilarating win — their second of the tournament — India sits comfortably in Group B, showcasing resilience and depth in their young squad. Bangladesh now faces a crucial juncture in their campaign, having been in a position of command only to see it slip away dramatically.
Discussion about this post