IND vs NZ, U19 World Cup 2026: Indian cricket team tops group with win over New Zealand

The Indian cricket team topped Group B of the ICC U19 World Cup 2026 following a seven-wicket win over New Zealand in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, on Saturday.

The win placed India in Group 2 of the U19 World Cup 2026 Super Six stage. The group also includes England, Pakistan, Bangladesh, New Zealand and Zimbabwe. The India vs Pakistan match will be played in Bulawayo on February 1.

India, who beat the USA and Bangladesh in their previous two group matches, managed to bowl out New Zealand for 135 in 36.2 overs after rain reduced the contest to 37 overs per side.

Chasing a revised target of 130 in 37 overs, India were rocked early but a 76-run stand between captain Ayush Mhatre and Vaibhav Suryavanshi ensured India crossed the finish line in 13.3 overs.

India made early inroads on a tricky surface after opting to bowl first and never allowed New Zealand to settle. RS Ambrish led the charge with an incisive spell, picking up 4/29 in eight overs.

The Kiwi top order crumbled inside the first 10 overs and were reduced to 22/5. Jacob Cotter (23) and Jaskaran Sandhu (18) attempted a rebuild but India’s bowlers kept things tight through the middle overs, reducing the Kiwis to 69/7 in the 25th over.

A 53-run partnership for the eighth-wicket between Callum Samson (37 not out) and Selwin Sanjay (28) offered resistance lower down the order to push the total past 130.

While RS Ambrish led India’s bowling charge with four wickets, Henil Patel provided excellent support, claiming 3/23. Khilan Patel, Mohamed Enaan and Kanishk Chouhan also chipped in with a wicket each.

India’s chase began with an early wobble as opener Aaron George departed in the second over but that proved to be the only moment of discomfort.

Ayush Mhatre and Vaibhav Suryavanshi quickly seized control, racing away in a 76-run stand that all but ended the contest.

Suryavanshi blazed with 40 off 23 balls, including two fours and three sixes, before falling in the ninth over. Mhatre followed soon after, having smashed 53 off just 27 deliveries with two fours and six sixes, as India surged to 101 inside 10 overs.

An unbroken 29-run partnership between Vihaan Malhotra and Vedant Trivedi then guided India home in 13.3 overs.

Five-time champions India will play their next match at the U19 World Cup 2026 against Zimbabwe in their opening game of the Super Six stage on Tuesday.

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