Bulawayo, Zimbabwe - In a crucial Group B encounter at the ICC U19 World Cup 2026, India U19 and New Zealand U19 are set to face off at the Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo on January 24, 2026. The match is particularly significant for New Zealand, who need a win to secure a spot in the Super 6 stage. India, already having confirmed their place at the top of the group, will be aiming to maintain their unbeaten run and gain an advantage in the Super 6 stage.
All eyes will be on India's captain, Ayush Mhatre, as he walks out to the field. Despite his undeniable potential, Mhatre has been under scrutiny due to a recent slump in form. After a promising 49 in a warm-up match against England, his performance dipped in the competitive matches. He scored 19 against the USA and followed that with 6 against Bangladesh. His struggles aren't limited to the World Cup, as he also had a difficult U19 Asia Cup, where he managed just 65 runs in five matches.
Mhatre's List A record boasts an impressive average of 65.42, with 458 runs in seven matches. The team will be expecting him to translate his domestic form into runs on the international stage.
The Indian squad, led by Mhatre, includes vice-captain Vihaan Malhotra, Abhigyan Kundu, and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. Sooryavanshi recently played a crucial role in India's victory against Bangladesh, scoring 72 off 67 balls. Abhigyan Kundu has also been in good form, scoring 122 runs in two games at an average of 122. The team may consider bringing Aaron George back into the squad to strengthen the middle order. India U19 have shown maturity and clarity in their execution in the tournament so far. Openers Khilan Patel and Deepesh Devendran have been taking early wickets, while the spinners have been maintaining pressure in the middle overs.
New Zealand's journey to this point has been different. Persistent rain led to the abandonment of their initial matches, leaving them without an on-field assessment of their form. Key players for New Zealand include top-order batter Hugo Bogue and fast bowler Callum Samson.
The toss has been delayed due to a wet outfield. The match is scheduled to start at 07:30 GMT.
