The ICC U19 Cricket World Cup 2026 started with the India U19 vs United States U19 match at Bulawayo on Thursday (January 15), where the Indian pacer Henil Patel claimed the first wicket of the tournament. 

Five-time champions India U19 chose to field first in the tournament opener. The USA started with a hope for a fine beginning in the tournament, but they had a big blow, as the consistent performer Amrinder Gill was dismissed in the second over for only one run.

See Also: Vaibhav Sooryavanshi needs few Runs to break Virat Kohli’s stellar record ahead of the U19 World Cup clash

ICC U19 Cricket World Cup 2026: Henil Patel dismissed Amrinder Gill

On the third ball of the second over of the match, the right-arm pacer Henil Patel produced the first wicket of the tournament by dismissing Amrinder Gill. It was a good length ball around the fifth stump with extra bounce and a little away shape, as Gill had an outside edge. That edge traveled low to the second slip, as Vihaan Malhotra grabbed a good catch to produce that wicket. It was the first wicket of the tournament.

#TeamIndia’s fast bowler, Henil Patel, bags the opening wicket! 👏#USA’s Amrinder Gill gets done by the bounce and edges it straight to the fielder. ☝️#ICCMensU19WC | #INDvUSA 👉 LIVE NOW ➡️ https://t.co/RdmIHbr8CB pic.twitter.com/bJZA39yBRh

— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) January 15, 2026

Australia are defending champions for ICC U19 Cricket World Cup 2026

The record five-time champions India U19 featured in all five of the last U19 World Cups, including winning twice. Australia are the defending champions for the 2026 edition, which Zimbabwe and Namibia are jointly hosting. 

Even before the beginning of the 2026 tournament, some of the Indian U19 players have already come to the notice of Indian cricket fans, including the 14-year-old stunning boy Vaibhav Sooryavanshi.