IND vs USA, U-19 World Cup Highlights: India off to nervy win as Henil, Kundu star

What a shot from Kundu here! He has just got the much-needed boundary to ensure that India is within touching distance. And then, a small shuffle and the ball sails over the boundary for a mighty six as India get over the finish line. This wasn't an easy stretch by any imagination. But they will be heading back to the drawing board. 

USA can keep their heads held high as they gave a great fight with the ball and on the field. In the end, Kundu proved to be the difference. (REPORT)

Utkarsh Srivastava strikes as Vihaan Malhotra falls to a slip catch. He seemed a bit too finicky in the last couple of overs and now Kundu needs to take charge of the chase and get the team over the line. 

 Live Score: India - 70/4 in 12.3 overs (Kundu 26, Kanishk 0)

Just as we were praising the duo for their game awareness, a bit of miscommunication almost sees Vihaan Malhotra get run-out. The throw to Mahesh wasn't great and USA players are left distraught at the chance missed. 

Live Score: India - 61/3 in 11 overs (Kundu 22, Vihaan 13)

A sensational cover drive from Abhigyan Kundu as India get past the 50-run mark in Bulawayo. This duo has been sensational with their game awareness and ensuring the nerves have been calmed down. 

Live Score: India - 57/3 in 9.4 overs (Kundu 20, Vihaan 11)

These two boys have shown how to tackle this tricky pitch. There is not an attempt to play an aerial shot and it is all along the ground. Kundu hits back-to-back boundaries of Shimpi to get the run chase back on track. And then he smartly leaves the next one, knowing things are under control. 

Live Score: India - 45/3 in 7.3 overs (Kundu 14, Vihaan 5)

Not the start India wanted! Ayush Mhatre plays a reckless shot and gets caught in the third-man area as Shimpi gets a wicket. India are in a shaky spot and USA will be believing that they can pull off an upset in Bulawayo. Vihaan and Kundu have a big rebuilding work in front of them. 

Live Score: India - 25/3 in 5.4 overs (Kundu 0, Vihaan 0)

Ritvik gets his second wicket of the match as India lose their second wicket. Vedant goes for a cut shot as the ball is outside off and it goes straight to the fielder. The rain is slowly picking up once again in Bulawayo and Vihaan Malhotra makes his way to the middle. 

Live Score: India - 21/2 in 5 overs (Mhatre 15, Vihaan 0)

So, we are back underway in Bulawayo with India needing 96 runs to win in 33 overs. Mhatre and Trivedi are out in the middle with Ritvik bowling. The overcast conditions will support the pacers more and it may not be an easy chase for the Indian side. 

Live Score: India - 21/1 in 4.4 overs (Mhatre 15, Trivedi 2)

The covers are coming off, leaving just the sheet on the square, and there’s movement stirring in the Indian dressing room. The two unbeaten batters are already heading out to the dugout, fully geared up—it looks like we could be close to a restart.

On-field umpires are seen talking with Indian captain Ayush Mhatre, while the USA side is also getting ready, going through their warm-ups. The stage seems set; it won’t be long before action resumes.

Good news from Bulawayo as the rain has stopped and the dark clouds are beginning to pass. There’s cautious optimism that play could get underway soon, but the forecast remains a concern — showers are still possible, with a 40% chance of rain that is expected to increase as the day goes on.

The wait goes on as the covers remain firmly in place. Players linger anxiously, eyes fixed on the skies, desperate for play to get underway, while the crowd in the stands sits patiently, hoping for the action to finally begin.

First it was rain and now lightning in Bulawayo has halted play as Ayush Mhatre and Vedant Trivedi make their way back to the pavilion. The USA coaching staff are pleased as they got the big wicket of Vaibhav Suryavanshi before the interval. 

Live Score: India - 21/1 in 4 overs (Mhatre 15, Vedant 2)

Oh no! Absolute horror start for India — Vaibhav Suryavanshi throws it away on U19 World Cup debut! Cleaned up!

Ritvik Appidi is fired up! Length ball on leg, cramps him for room, Sooryavanshi charges down to slog, only manages an inside edge — and bang!

The leg stump is knocked clean out of the ground! Early blow, and India are rocked straight away.

Live Score: India - 19/1 in 3 overs (Mhatre 15, Vedant 1)

Vaibhav Suryavanshi is off and running and isn't ready to wait here in Bulawayo. He goes for two big shots early on as India make a slow start to the run-chase . 

Live Score: India - 3/0 in 1 over (Mhatre 1, Suryavanshi 2)

Just as Ayush Mhatre and Vaibhav Suryavanshi were about to start their innings, rain comes in to put a halt to proceedings. India will be hoping that is just a passing shower and nothing major as they want to go out and get the winning runs. 

And Vaibhav Suryavanshi is also among the wicket-takers as USA are bowled out for just 107 runs. It has been a sensational effort from the Indian bowlers and Sunil Joshi will be mighty pleased with that performance. It is now over to the batters to get the game wrapped up quickly. 

Henil Patel you beauty! Two absolute jaffers from the pacer sees USA lose two wickets in consecutive deliveries as USA are almost done with their innings in Bulawayo. This has been a sensational spell where USA batters have had no idea to the swing and guile of the lanky pacer. 

Live Score: USA - 105/9 in 35 overs (Nitish Sudini 23)

That could have been nasty in Bulawayo. India have been sensational on the field and they had the chance to dismiss the well-set Nitish. The USA batter sends it up in the air and Vihaan and Deepesh go for the catch. Both men end up colliding with each other and the situation could have been far worse. 

Live Score: USA - 88/7 in 31.3 overs (Sabrish 1, Nitish Sudini 23) 

The India vice-captain steps up with a sensational effort as USA lose their seventh wicket. Adit Kappa's painful stay at the crease is finally over and India have a chance to wrap things up. 

Live Score: USA - 82/7 in 31 overs (Sabrish 1, Nitish Sudini 15) 

RS Ambrish finds the outside edge of Adnit Jhamb's bat, which carries straight to wicketkeeper Abhigyan Kundu. USA are falling like a pack of cards here.

Live Score: USA - 73/6 in 26 overs (Kappa 3, Nitish Sudini 15)

Wicketkeeper Abhigyan Kundu fails to collect a wide throw from a fielder as he throws his body at it only to end in vain. A rare blip in the fielding from India, who have been so good today protecting runs at all corners of the ground.

Live Score: USA - 67/5 in 24 overs (Jhamb 17, Nitish Sudini 13)

Khilan Patel and Kanishk Chouhan are operating in tandem for India as the sun has started to beat down on the pitch in Bulawayo. Indian bowlers are not giving anything away and USA will have to bat out of their skin to post a competitive total here.

Live Score: USA - 53/5 in 21 overs (Jhamb 10, Nitish Sudini 7)

The pitch has something for everyone as Khilan Patel is able to get good purchase from the surface. Indian bowlers have been successful in making the ball dance to its tunes and USA batters haven't been able to find any answers to it.

Live Score: USA - 46/5 in 19 overs (Jhamb 7, Nitish Sudini 2)

Khilan Patel helps India get their fifth strike as he makes Amogh Arepally hit one straight to Vihaan Malhotra at short cover. India continue their dominance over USA, making their batters kneel against them.

Amogh Arepally c Vihaan Malhotra b Khilan Patel 3(13)

Live Score: USA - 39/5 in 16 overs (Jhamb 2)

India have been relentless with the ball as the seam duo of Henil Patel and Deepesh Devendran have run through the USA batting line up. Patel has scalped 3/14 in six overs while Devendran has taken 1/19 in six overs. 

Live Score: USA - 39/4 in 15 overs (Jhamb 2, Arepally 3)        

Deepesh Devendran has been on song as he bowls his first maiden over. The right-arm seamer was leaking runs up first but now has found his length and is continuously piling on pressure with his consistent line and length.

 Live Score: USA - 38/4 in 14 overs (Jhamb 2, Arepally 2)    

USA lose their most experienced player in Utkarsh Srivastava as Henil strikes yet again. The ball was going away from Srivastava, but in an attempt to leave it, he gets an edge and the ball goes on to the stumps. There is swing on offer and USA are struggling to get to grips with the Indian bowling. Mahesh goes for a wild hit and once again a batter gets caught in the third man area. 

 Live Score: USA - 35/4 in 12 overs (Jhamb 1, Arepally 0)    

India have got the second wicket as Deepesh Devendran as Henil Patel takes Sahil Garg goes for a cut and it goes to the third man area. India are on top of the contest and the bowlers. 

 Live Score: USA - 29/2 in 9 overs (Mahesh 12, Srivastava 0)    

Henil and Deepesh are now bowling in tandem, with the latter finding his rhythm after a few wayward overs. USA have been unable to break the shackles and get a few boundaries in and they will need to launch a counter-attack soon. Else the powerplay is firmly going in India's favour. 

Live Score: USA - 23/1 in 7.4 overs (Sahil Garg 15, Arjun Mahesh 7)    

While Henil has been sensational with the ball and his line and length, Deepesh Devendran has been off the boil. He has been tipped to be the main pacer for India in the tournament. He has conceded 11 off three overs. 

 Live Score: USA - 14/1 in 5 overs (Sahil Garg 10, Arjun Mahesh 3)    

Henil Patel has been phenomenal and has been also aided by a marvellous fielding effort from Tanishq Chauhan at point. He gives away just two runs in his two over. 

Live Score: USA - 7/1 in 4 overs (Sahil Garg 4 (9), Arjun Mahesh (2 (8))    

India are keeping a stranglehold on USA as Devendra bowls another tight over. Sahil Garg gets his innings going, scoring three runs in the over. 

USA - 5/1 in 3 overs (Sahil Garg 3 (6), Arjun Mahesh (1 (5))  

Henil Patel draws first blood for India makes Amrinder Gill edge to first slip. Vihaan Malhotra takes a brilliant catch diving forward as jubilant Indian players celebrate all around.

Amrinder Gill c Vihaan Malhotra b Henil Patel 1(7)

Under-19 World Cup live score: USA - 1/1 in 2 overs (Sahil Garg 0 (2), Arjun Mahesh (0 (3))

Henil Patel runs in to bowl the second over of the innings and starts off with a beauty, beating Amrinder Gill on the very first delivery.

Right arm fast bowler Deepesh Devendran starts off with the new ball for India. The 18-year-old was the highest wicket taker for India in the Under 19 Asia Cup with five wickets. Devendran has been too wide in the first over but doesn't give away runs as USA openers start off cautiously.

Under-19 World Cup live score: USA - 1/0 in 1 over. (Amrinder Gill 1 (4), Sahil Garg 0 (2)

United States of America U19 (Playing XI): Sahil Garg, Amrinder Gill, Arjun Mahesh(w), Utkarsh Srivastava(c), Ritvik Appidi, Adnit Jhamb, Amogh Arepally, Nitish Sudini, Sabrish Prasad, Adit Kappa, Rishabh Shimpi

"We would have had a bat first as well. We have three spinners, three pacers, and the rest of them are pacers. It's been good. We have had tours in South Africa, West Indies, and we also came earlier here. So the preparation has been very good. 100%. We're looking forward to win this cup," said Utkarsh Srivastava at the toss.

India U19 (Playing XI): Ayush Mhatre(c), Vaibhav Suryavanshi, Vedant Trivedi, Vihaan Malhotra, Abhigyan Kundu(w), Harvansh Pangalia, RS Ambrish, Kanishk Chouhan, Henil Patel, Deepesh Devendran, Khilan Patel

"We have not used to these conditions and a little bit dewy also and overcast conditions. We will try to use these conditions. The preparation is also good and the boys are really confident and we have been playing for almost six months together, so the boys are really confident and preparation is going well. We are going with three pacers, one all-rounder and two spinners," said Mhatre at the toss.

Rohan Gavaskar informs that there are 93% chances of rain during the fixture, which has influenced India captain Ayush Mhatre to opt to bowl. The fans would hope for an uninterrupted match.

Additionally, this is not the only match scheduled for today. Co-hosts Zimbabwe are set to face Scotland, while one of the surprise entrants, Tanzania, will take on the West Indies.

Meanwhile, a couple of warm-up matches were played in the lead-up to the World Cup. India registered a victory against Scotland but went down to England, while the USA saw one of their games washed out against Zimbabwe before suffering a defeat at the hands of Pakistan.

United States of America U19 Squad: Amrinder Gill, Sahil Garg, Arjun Mahesh(w), Utkarsh Srivastava(c), Adnit Jhamb, Amogh Arepally, Nitish Sudini, Shiv Shani, Adit Kappa, Sahir Bhatia, Rayaan Taj, Advaith Krishna, Sabrish Prasad, Ritvik Appidi, Rishabh Shimpi

India U19 Squad: Ayush Mhatre(c), Vaibhav Suryavanshi, Aaron George, Vihaan Malhotra, Vedant Trivedi, Abhigyan Kundu(w), Kanishk Chouhan, Khilan Patel, Deepesh Devendran, Kishan Kumar Singh, Henil Patel, Udhav Mohan, RS Ambrish, Mohamed Enaan, Harvansh Pangalia

The cloudy conditions are on offer at the venue, which would've played a major role in the Indian captain choosing to bowl first for their tournament opener.

India captain Ayush Mhatre has won the toss and opted to bowl first in the first match against USA at Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo.

India are the most successful team in the history of the Under-19 World Cup 2026, having won five titles namely in 2000, 2008, 2012, 2018 and 2022. On the other hand, they've finished as runner-ups in 2006, 2016, 2020 and 2024. 

As India begin their campaign, all eyes will be on the teen prodidy Vaibhav Suryavanshi, who's taken the cricketing world by storm with his remarkable hitting prowess. Suryavanshi is the player to watch out for in the event and is expected to top the run scoring charts.

India are set to begin their campaign in the Under-19 World Cup 2026 as they take on USA in the opening fixture at Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo. The India Under-19 are led by Ayush Mhatre and Vihaan Malhotra is the vice captain.