India crushed Zimbabwe by 204 runs in the Super Six stage of the ICC Under-19 World Cup 2026 on Monday, January 27, at Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo. India posted 352 for 8 in 50 overs before bowling out Zimbabwe for just 148 runs in 37.4 overs. Vihaan Malhotra scored an unbeaten 109 to win the Player of the Match award.
The result kept India at the top of Super Six Group 2 with six points from three matches. India carried four points from the group stage and added two more with this win. Zimbabwe won the toss and chose to bowl first, but could not stop India’s batters from piling up runs.
India now plays Pakistan on February 1 at the same venue in what shapes up as a straight fight for the top spot. The top two teams from Group 2 will reach the semi-finals. India wore black armbands during the match to honour former BCCI president I.S. Bindra, who passed away recently.
Suryavanshi Blasts Quick Fifty
India started fast with openers Aaron George and Vaibhav Suryavanshi putting on 44 runs in just four overs. Suryavanshi, the 14-year-old batting talent, smashed 52 runs off 30 balls with four fours and four sixes. He reached his fifty in only 24 deliveries, showing no fear against Zimbabwe’s bowlers.
George made 23 off 16 balls with two fours and a six before getting out. Captain Ayush Mhatre joined the attack with 21 off 19 balls, hitting one four and two sixes. India raced to 100 runs in 62 balls, putting Zimbabwe on the back foot right from the start.
Suryavanshi’s knock came after his earlier performances in the tournament, where he also scored a fifty against New Zealand. The Rajasthan Royals IPL player showed why he attracted such a high price at the auction. His dismissal for 52 slowed India briefly, but the damage was already done.
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Malhotra and Kundu Build Big Stand
India wobbled slightly at 101 for 3 after losing Suryavanshi and Mhatre in quick succession. Vihaan Malhotra and wicketkeeper Abhigyan Kundu then put together a partnership of 113 runs for the fifth wicket. The pair batted for 101 balls together, taking the game away from Zimbabwe completely.
Malhotra played carefully to reach his century, the first hundred by an Indian batter in this tournament. He faced 107 balls and hit seven fours to remain unbeaten on 109. His century came off 104 deliveries as he paced his innings perfectly on a good batting track.
Kundu supported well with 61 runs off 62 balls, including five fours and one six. The 19-year-old from West Bengal has been consistent throughout India’s strong campaign at the U19 World Cup, and this knock added to his growing reputation. Both batters rotated strike smoothly and punished loose deliveries.
Late Hitting Takes India Past 350
After Kundu got out, India did not slow down. Khilan Patel smashed 30 runs off just 12 balls with one four and three sixes. His quick hitting in the final overs pushed India’s total well past 350. R.S. Ambrish made 21 off 28 balls to support Malhotra at the other end.
Zimbabwe’s bowlers struggled to contain the scoring. Panashe Mazai had the worst figures, giving away 86 runs in eight overs while taking two wickets. His economy rate of nearly 11 runs per over hurt Zimbabwe badly. Tatenda Chimugoro bowled better with three wickets for 49 runs in eight overs, but could not stop the run flow.
India finished on 352 for 8, setting Zimbabwe a target of 353 runs. The total looked well beyond Zimbabwe’s reach, given their batting struggles earlier in the tournament. India’s batting showed depth with contributions from the top, middle and lower order.
Zimbabwe Collapses Quickly
Zimbabwe needed a strong start to chase 353 but lost opener Nathaniel Hlabangana on just the second ball of the innings. R.S. Ambrish struck early to give India the perfect beginning. Dhruv Patel made 8 before falling in the fourth over with Zimbabwe on 15 for 2.
Captain Brandon Senzere went for just 3 runs, leaving Zimbabwe at 24 for 3 in nine overs. The early wickets killed any hope of a competitive chase. Henil Patel and Ambrish bowled tight lines with the new ball, finishing with figures of 1 for 25 and 2 for 19, respectively.
Kian Blignaut tried to rebuild with 37 runs off 73 balls, but Zimbabwe never got close to the required rate. Leeroy Chiwaula fought alone with 62 runs off 77 balls, hitting seven fours and one six. His fifty gave Zimbabwe some respectability but no real chance of winning.
India Bowlers Finish Job
Captain Ayush Mhatre bowled a brilliant spell of 3 for 14 in just four overs. He removed Michael Blignaut, Simbarashe Mudzengerere and cleaned up the tail efficiently. Udhav Mohan also took three wickets, giving away 20 runs in 6.4 overs with tight bowling.
Tatenda Chimugoro made 29 with two sixes before getting out. After Chiwaula’s dismissal at 142 for 5, Zimbabwe lost their last six wickets for just six runs. The collapse showed the mental pressure of chasing such a big total against disciplined bowling.
Zimbabwe got bowled out for 148 in 37.4 overs, losing by 204 runs. The margin of defeat was India’s biggest in the Super Six stage of the tournament so far. India’s bowlers backed up the batting performance with clinical execution.
Semi-Final Race Heats Up
India now has six points and sits on top of Super Six Group 2. Only three teams remain in contention for the two semi-final spots from this group. Pakistan beat New Zealand earlier and also has six points with a net run rate of plus 1.484.
The match between India and Pakistan on February 1 will likely decide which team finishes first in the group. Both teams have remained unbeaten in the Super Six stage. England is the third team still fighting for a semi-final place from this group.
India won all three Super Six matches to maintain their perfect record. The five-time champions look strong favourites to reach the semi-finals and possibly the final. Zimbabwe faces Bangladesh on January 31 in Harare for their next match.Get complete coverage of the Under-19 World Cup at JeetWin Sports.
