Vihaan Malhotra’s century powers India to big win over Zimbabwe in U19 World Cup

India crushed Zimbabwe by 204 runs in the U19 World Cup Super 6 stage, led by Vihaan Malhotra’s century and Abhigyan Kundu’s 61. Ayush Mhatre and Udhav Mohan took three wickets each as India reclaimed top spot in Group 2

Bulawayo: Vihaan Malhotra struck a century to help India Under-19 defeat Zimbabwe Under-19 by 204 runs in a Super 6 stage match of the ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup 2026, reclaiming their top spot in Group 2 standings at Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo, on Tuesday.

Asked to bat first, Indian openers Aaron George and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi stitched a quick-fire 44-run stand. George’s dismissal did not deter Sooryavanshi, who hammered a 30-ball 52 (4×4, 4×6). Vedant Trivedi fell for 15 soon after.

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Malhotra and Abhigyan Kundu then steadied the innings, with Malhotra firing India’s first century of the tournament and Kundu adding 61 off 62 balls. Khilan A Patel’s 12-ball 30 provided late fireworks as India posted 352/8 in 50 overs.

Chasing a daunting total, Zimbabwe lost Nathaniel Hlabangana, Dhruv Patel and Brendon Senzere early. Kian Blignaut (37) and Leeroy Chiwaula (62) tried to rebuild, but Ayush Mhatre and Udhav Mohan picked three wickets each to bowl Zimbabwe out for 148 in 37.4 overs.

The victory means only three teams from Group 2 — India, England and Pakistan — remain in contention for semi-final spots, with Sunday’s India-Pakistan clash set to be decisive.

Brief scores:
India Under-19 352/8 in 50 overs (Vihaan Malhotra 109, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi 52, Abhigyan Kundu 61, Khilan A Patel 30; Tatenda Chimugoro 3/49, Simbarashe Mudzengerere 2/51, Panashe Mazai 2/86) beat Zimbabwe Under-19 148 all out in 37.4 overs (Leeroy Chiwaula 62, Kian Blignaut 37, Tatenda Chimugoro 29; Ayush Mhatre 3/14, Udhav Mohan 3/20, RS Ambrish 2/19) by 204 runs.