India U1`9 claimed a dramatic victory against Bangladesh U19 in the rain-marred group stage contest of the ICC U19 Cricket World Cup 2026 on Saturday (January 17).

After Bangladesh U19 sent the Indian team to bat first, India U19 scored 238 all out in 48.4 overs in the 49-over fixture. Bangladesh U19 were 90/2 in 17.2 overs when the rain once again interrupted the game. Later, Bangladesh had a revised target of 165 runs in 29 overs. Bangladesh were all out for 146 runs, as the five-time champions India U19 won the match by 18 runs in the DLS method. 

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and Abhigyan Kundu played important innings

In the Indian innings, while three of the top four batters failed to reach double-digit scores, opener Vaibhav Sooryavanshi played a mature innings and had an important 62-run partnership for the fourth wicket with Abhigyan Kundu, as both played a very important role for India in managing a challenging total.  

While Vaibhav scored 72 off 67 balls with six fours and three sixes, Abhigyan scored 80 off 112 balls with four fours and three sixes. Also, Kanishk Chouhan scored a useful 28 runs, while the last batter Deepesh Devendran scored 11 runs. 

Bangladesh right-arm pacer Al Fahad recorded a fifer with his excellent bowling figures of 9.2-1-38-5. Also, Iqbal Hossain Emon (2/45) and captain Azizul Hakim (2/42) got two wickets each. 

Watch: Vaibhav Suryavanshi’s sensational catch dismisses Saiun Ratul in Ind vs Ban U19 World Cup 2026

Vihaan Malhotra triggered Bangladesh's late collapse

In reply, opener Rifat Beg and captain Azizul Hakim provided a solid 56-run partnership for the second wicket before Beg was dismissed for a run-a-ball 37 runs. Also, the skipper had a strong 44-run partnership with Kalam Siddiki for the third wicket. But once that partnership was broken, Bangladesh failed to handle the required run-rate pressure of the revised target. 

While Kalam was dismissed for 15 runs, skipper Azizul scored 51 off 72 balls with four fours and one six. Only Rizan Hossai (15) was the other Bangladesh batter to reach a double-digit score, as they lost their last seven wickets for only 22 runs. 

Player of the Match Vihaan Malhotra got four wickets as he had the bowling figures of 4-0-14-4. Also, Khilan Patel (2/35) picked up two wickets, while three other Indian bowlers took one wicket each. 

The record five-time champions India U19 started the ICC U19 Cricket World Cup 2026 journey with a comfortable win despite a little hiccup in the low chase during the rain-interrupted tournament opener against the United States U19.

After India U19 sent the USA U19 to bat first, the USA scored 107 all out in 35.2 overs. In reply, when India were 21/1 in four overs, the match was interrupted by rain. When the game restarted, the Indian team got the revised target of 96 in 37 overs. India U19 chased down the target in 17.2 overs after losing four wickets.  

Henil Patel led Indian bowling attack

The right-arm pacer Henil Patel took the first wicket of the tournament, as the 18-year-old claimed a fifer to record India's third-best bowling figures in the tournament history by finishing with the bowling figures of 7-1-16-5. 

While only one USA batter managed to reach the 20-run mark, three more batters scored the double-digits in that innings. The middle-order batter Nitish Sudini scored 36 off 52 balls with four fours. 

Watch: Henil Patel takes first wicket of ICC U19 Cricket World Cup in IND U19 vs USA U19 match

Abhigyan Kundu 42 not out was enough for India U19 to chase target comfortably

In reply, the 14-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi was played on for just two runs. After the rain, Vedant Trivedi (2) and captain Ayush Mhatre (19) were dismissed cheaply, as India U19 were in shock at 25/3. 

Vihaan Malhotra and Abhigyan Kundu had a crucial 45-run partnership for the fourth wicket. While Malhotra was dismissed for 18 runs, Kundu carried on his innings with Kanishk Chouhan to chase the tiny target before the completion of the 18th over. Kundu remained not out for 42 runs off 41 balls with five fours and one six. 

It was a milestone day for Abhigyan Kundu and Team India. In the Asia Cup Under-19 match on Tuesday, India won by 315 runs against Malaysia. Kundu remained unbeaten for 209 runs after facing 125 deliveries and was named Player of the Match. 

Kundu completed his double hundred with another over boundary. In just 121 balls, he touched the landmark. His parents were here on the field side. A special moment for the young batter: a double century in front of parents. His 209*-run knock was decorated with seventeen 4s and nine 6s. 

Abhigyan Kundu is an emerging wicketkeeper-batter who has evolved into a constant figure in the youth team of India. Ahead of the Asia Cup Under-19 tournament, he was struggling with form. But he found his rhythm in a crucial match. The match against Malaysia is important for the team, as they got a thrilling win against the archrival Pakistan in the previous game of the contest.

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Watch the moment when Abhigyan Kundu completed his double century in Asia Cup U-19 match

🚨 THE MOMENTS ABHIGYAN KUNDU COMPLETED HIS DOUBLE HUNDRED IN U19 ASIA CUP 🚨

- The Happiness & reactions of his family was priceless! 🥹

pic.twitter.com/ZL1ez7ni37

— Tanuj (@ImTanujSingh) December 16, 2025

Along with the batting skills, Kundu is well known for his keeping as well. Against Pakistan, he scored 22 and safely took a couple of catches and successfully completed one stumping, which secured the victory. 

During the initial stage of the match, it was Vaibhav Suryavanshi who initiated the carnage by scoring a quick half-century. Then, Vedant Trivedi registered a well-controlled 90-run knock. The youth team of India registered 408 runs in their 50-over limit. In reply, Malaysia could get only 93 runs, and India won the match by a massive margin of 315 runs. 

Abhigyan Kundu has lit up the stage with his flamboyant batting. During the India vs Malaysia Asia Cup U-19 match, the young batter smashed a confident double century. The bowlers of Malaysia have had no clue how to stop this middle-order batter at the Sevens Stadium in the United Arab Emirates.

Who is Abhigyan Kundu, who scored a century in the Asia Cup U-19 match?

Abhigyan Kundu is an emerging wicketkeeper-batter who has evolved into a constant figure in the youth team of India. Ahead of the Asia Cup Under-19 tournament, he was struggling with form. But he found his rhythm in a crucial match. The match against Malaysia is important for the team, as they got a thrilling win against the archrival Pakistan in the previous game of the contest.

Along with the batting skills, Kundu is well known for his keeping as well. Against Pakistan, he scored 22 and safely took a couple of catches and successfully completed one stumping, which secured the victory.

Read More: Watch: Virat Kohli and Anushka Sharma in Shri Premanad Ji Maharaj Dham in Vrindavan with tears in eyes

While writing this article, the left-handed batter was in the middle for an unbeaten 168 off 113. So far, he has hit 14 boundaries and five over-boundaries. And India is piling on runs with ease. Already, the youth set-up of the Men in Blue claimed 360 runs in 47.1 overs, and they still have 5 wickets in hand, which shows the pure dominance of India in the match.

Abhigyan Kundu builds on momentum and makes it count with a statement ton 💪

Watch #INDvMAL in the #DPWorldMensU19AsiaCup2025, LIVE NOW on Sony Sports Network TV channels & Sony LIV. #SonySportsNetwork #SonyLIV pic.twitter.com/VGyC42rjc3

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During the initial stage of the match, it was Vaibhav Suryavanshi who initiated the carnage by scoring a quick half-century. Then, Vedant Trivedi registered a well-controlled 90-run knock. Above all, it is Abhigyan Kundu who appeared as the showstopper in the match.