Off-spinner Vihaan Malhotra delivered a sensational spell, claiming 4 for 14, to trigger a dramatic Bangladesh batting collapse as India secured an 18-run victory via the DLS method in a rain-affected Under-19 World Cup match on Saturday.
Bangladesh bowled India out for 238 in a 49-over reduced contest and seemed in control of the chase before losing eight wickets for 40 runs, squandering a winning position. This victory marked India’s second consecutive win in the tournament.
Bangladesh were dismissed for 146 in 28.3 overs, falling well short of the revised target of 165 from 29 overs.
ICC Under-19 World Cup 2026: India Vs Bangladesh – Highlights
Players from both teams exchanged handshakes and pleasantries at the end of the match, even though
the captains had avoided the customary gesture at the toss.
India now leads the Group B standings with four points from two matches, while Bangladesh and the USA are yet to open their accounts. New Zealand is yet to start their campaign in Group B.
Chasing a revised target of 165 from 29 overs after a second rain delay of over one hour and 30 minutes, Bangladesh was cruising at 102 for 2 after 20 overs, comfortably ahead of the DLS par score of 88.
However, a stunning collapse followed, engineered by Malhotra’s disciplined off-spin and timely strikes from the other end.
Earlier struggling with the bat, scoring only 7 off 24 balls, Malhotra found sharp turn and bounce to dismantle the middle order, dismissing Kalam Siddiki (15), Sheikh Parvez Jibon (7), Rizan Hossan (15), and Samiun Basir (2) in a decisive spell that swung the match sharply in India’s favour.
Bangladesh lost five wickets in the space of 33 balls as panic set in.
Left-arm spinner Khilan Patel delivered the decisive blow by dismissing Bangladesh skipper Azizul Hakim, who top-scored with a patient 51 off 72 balls (4×4, 1×6).
Aware of the DLS equation, Hakim played a composed innings but misjudged a waist-high full toss from Khilan, attempting to clear long-on but only managing to pick out the fielder in the deep, effectively ending Bangladesh’s resistance.
Henil Patel then wrapped up the tail by removing Iqbal Hossain Emon as Bangladesh were bowled out for 146 in 28.3 overs, sealing India’s victory.
Earlier, Bangladesh’s chase had begun positively despite an early setback when Deepesh Devendran removed Zawad Abrar in the opening over.
A steady fifty-plus partnership between Rifat Beg and Hakim put Bangladesh firmly on course, with Beg scoring an aggressive 37 off 37 balls, hitting four fours and a six, including a confident loft over deep square leg off off-spinner Kanishk Chouhan.
With Hakim anchoring one end and the run rate under control, Bangladesh appeared well-placed until Malhotra’s intervention changed the match’s complexion.
The collapse overshadowed an earlier fine bowling effort by Bangladesh pacer Al Fahad, whose five-wicket haul had laid the foundation for the contest.
India’s innings was anchored by Abhigyan Kundu and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, who struck fighting half-centuries after Bangladesh opted to field in overcast conditions.
Vaibhav, known for his attacking flair, adopted an unusually restrained role, scoring a composed 72 off 67 balls with six fours and three sixes after India lost two wickets in two deliveries early on.
Kundu played a measured knock of 80 off 112 balls, hitting four fours and three sixes, making full use of two reprieves to guide India past the 200-run mark. The duo added 62 runs off 101 balls to stabilise the innings following a top-order collapse.
Fahad had earlier rocked India by removing skipper Ayush Mhatre and Vedant Trivedi in quick succession, while Azizul Hakim supported well with 2 for 42, including the wicket of Kanishk Chouhan, who struck a brisk 28 during a 54-run stand with Kundu.
India were eventually bowled out for 238 in 48.4 overs after a one-hour rain interruption reduced the match to 49 overs a side.
Brief scores: ICC Under-19 Men’s Cricket World Cup – India vs Bangladesh
India 238 in 48.4 overs (Abhigyan Kundu 80, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi 72; Al Fahad 5/38, Iqbal Hossain Emon 2/45, Azizul Hakim 2/42) beat Bangladesh 146 in 28.3 overs (Azizul Hakim 51; Vihaan Malhotra 4/14, Khilan Patel 2/35) by 18 runs via DLS method.
(With inputs from Agencies)
