India U-19 Beat Bangladesh U-19 in Rain-Affected World Cup Match

India Under-19s underlined their title credentials with a composed yet gritty 18-run win over Bangladesh Under-19s in a rain-hit ICC Under-19 World Cup Group B encounter on Saturday, January 17. 

On a stop-start day shaped by weather interruptions, India held their nerves better across both innings to stay firmly on course at the top of the group.

Asked to bat first on a surface offering uneven bounce, India’s innings had moments of fluency mixed with long periods of pressure. Early wickets forced a rebuild, and that responsibility fell on Abhigyan Kundu, who played the kind of innings that rarely grabs headlines but often decides tournaments. 

His 80 off 112 balls absorbed pressure, rotated strike smartly and allowed others to bat with freedom. Vaibhav Suryavanshi provided that momentum at the other end, counter-attacking with a brisk 72 from 67 deliveries to lift India past 200. The partnership steadied the innings before Bangladesh clawed back late, with Al Fahad producing a standout spell to finish with five wickets and restrict India to 238 in 48.4 overs.

Rain then reshaped the contest. After multiple delays, Bangladesh were handed a revised target of 165 from 29 overs, a chase that demanded early intent without recklessness. Azizul Hakim Tamim responded with a fighting half-century, keeping Bangladesh in the contest as long as he stayed at the crease. However, the required rate continued to climb, and India’s bowlers sensed the moment.

That turning point arrived through Vihaan Malhotra, whose spell tilted the match decisively. Bowling with control and subtle variation, Malhotra ripped through the middle order, finishing with figures of 4 for 14. His wickets arrived in clusters, each one tightening India’s grip and draining belief from the chase. When Tamim finally departed, Bangladesh’s hopes went with him.

The end came fittingly with Malhotra involved again, holding on to a sharp catch to seal the contest and cap a match-winning performance that earned him the Player of the Match award. Bangladesh were bowled out for 146, falling just short after pushing India deep into the contest.

For India Under-19s, it was a victory built on adaptability and discipline; qualities that often separate contenders from champions in tournament cricket.