KEY POINTS
- Left-arm pacer Patel’s brilliant 5/16 dismantled USA for 107 runs.
- Rain interrupted India’s chase, revising the target to 96 in 37 overs.
- Wicketkeeper Abhigyan Kundu anchored the chase with an unbeaten 42 after India lost early wickets.
BULAWAYO: A clinical bowling performance spearheaded by a magnificent five-wicket haul from Henil Patel guided five-time champions India to a five-wicket win over the United States of America (USA) in a rain-affected opening match of the ICC Men’s U19 World Cup at the Queens Sports Club on Thursday.
Opting to field first, Indian captain Ayush Mhatre saw his decision vindicated as his bowlers dominated from the outset.
The USA batting lineup crumbled under pressure, bundled out for a meagre 107 in 35.2 overs.
Nitish Sudini (36 off 52) offered the only notable resistance.
The innings belonged to left-arm pacer Henil Patel, who ripped through the middle and lower order with a devastating spell of 7-1-16-5, earning him the Player of the Match award.
He received able support from a disciplined bowling unit that shared the remaining wickets.
Rain interrupts play
In pursuit of 108, India faced an early wobble when star opener Vaibhav Sooryavanshi (2) fell in the third over.
At 21/1 after four overs, rain forced a lengthy stoppage, costing 13 overs and revising the target to 96 from 37 overs under the DLS method.
The break disrupted India’s momentum, leading to the loss of two more quick wickets, briefly injecting tension into the chase.
Kundu anchors revised chase
Wicketkeeper-batter Abhigyan Kundu stepped up with a calm and composed unbeaten 42 off 41 balls, steering his team home.
He stabilised the innings and forged a crucial 45-run partnership with Vihaan Malhotra (18 off 17) to extinguish any hopes of a USA upset.
India reached the target in the 23rd over, finishing at 99/5 to secure the win.
Winning start for champions
Despite a slightly stuttered chase, the match was decisively won by India’s bowlers, with Henil Patel’s career-best figures setting an intimidating tone for their campaign.
The USA, though outplayed, showed glimpses of fight with the ball, led by Ritvik Appidi’s two wickets.
India will look to build on this winning start, while the USA seeks a stronger all-round performance in their upcoming group fixture.
