On the first day of the ICC U19 Cricket World Cup 2026, India U19 and West Indies U19 claimed easy wins against USA U19 and Tanzania U19, respectively, despite some hiccups in chasing, while the hosts Zimbabwe U19 vs Scotland U19 match was washed out in the rain.
India U19 vs USA U19: Henil Patel stars in easy win
Henil Patel was the hero for the Indian team in the six-wicket win against the USA U19. After India sent their opponents to bat first, the USA were bundled out for only 107 runs. The middle-order batter Nitish Sudini (36) was the only USA batter to reach the 20-run mark, while the Indian right-arm pacer had the bowling figures of 7-1-16-5.
In their chase, India later got the revised target of 96 runs in 37 overs, while the Indian side was struggling at 25/3. However, Abhigyan Kundu’s 42 not out off 41 balls and crucial help from the middle-order partners guided the record five-time champions to start the tournament with a comfortable victory, as they chased down the target in 17.2 overs after losing four wickets.
West Indies U19 claim comfortable victory, but Tanzania U19 impressed with strong fight
After the West Indies U19 chose to field first, the Tanzanian openers had a 53-run partnership, but once that partnership was broken, they were bundled out for only 122 runs. Both the openers were the top two run-scorers for Tanzania, as Dylan Thakrar (26) and Darpan Jobanputra (19) provided useful starts, while only two more batters managed to reach double-digit scores. In the meantime, West Indies bowlers delivered 27 extras, including 22 wides and two no-balls.
In reply, only the opener Tanez Francis (52 off 55 balls) and the no.3 batter Jewel Andrew (44 off 44 balls) managed to reach double-digit scores among six batters, including two unbeaten, which were enough for West Indies to chase down the target successfully in 21 overs after losing five wickets.
India U19 vs USA U19: India U19 won by six wickets with 118 balls remaining (DLS method)
USA U19 – 107 all out in 35.2 overs (Nitish Sudini 36, Adnit Jhamb 18; Henil Patel 5/16)
India U19 (revised target 96 in 37 overs) – 99/4 in 17.2 overs (Abhigyan Kundu 42 not out, Ayush Mhatre 19; Ritvik Appidi 2/24)
Zimbabwe U19 vs Scotland U19: Match abandoned without a ball bowled
No Toss
West Indies U19 vs Tanzania U19: West Indies U19 won by five wickets with 174 balls remaining
Tanzania U19 – 122 all out in 34 overs (Dylan Thakrar 26, Darpan Jobanputra 19; Vitel Lawes 3/23)
West Indies U19 – 124/5 in 21 overs (Tanez Francis 52, Jewel Andrew 44; Augustino Mwamele 2/17)
