Zimbabwe Under-19 will take on India Under-19 in Match No. 6 of the Super Six stage of the U19 World Cup 2026 on Tuesday, January 27, at the Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo. The hosts enter the Super Six phase after a difficult group campaign that saw them suffer two defeats, along with one abandoned fixture. Despite the setbacks, Zimbabwe will be eager to reset and put up a stronger showing against a formidable Indian side, banking on their youngsters to rise to the occasion and register their first Super Six points.

India Under-19, meanwhile, arrive with strong momentum, having remained unbeaten throughout the group stage. The Ayush Mhatre-led side recorded convincing wins against the United States, Bangladesh, and New Zealand, showcasing depth and balance across departments. As they begin their Super Six journey against Zimbabwe, India will look to extend their winning streak and reinforce their credentials as title contenders. With consistent performances from both batters and bowlers, the Indian youngsters will aim to maintain their dominance and take another step toward the knockout stages.

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U19 World Cup 2026, Super Six, Match 6, ZIM U-19 vs IND U-19: Live Streaming Details

U19 World Cup 2026, Super Six, Match 6, ZIM U-19 vs IND U-19: Probable Playing XI

Zimbabwe Under-19 (ZIM U19):

Nathaniel Hlabangana, Kupakwashe Muradzi (wk), Kian Blignaut, Dhruv Patel, Simbarashe Mudzengerere (c), Brandon Senzere, Michael Blignaut, Leeroy Chiwaula, Tatenda Chimugoro, Panashe Mazai, Shelton Mazvitorera

India Under-19 (IND U19):

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Ayush Mhatre (c), Vedant Trivedi, Vihaan Malhotra, Abhigyan Kundu (wk), Aaron George, Kanishk Chouhan, RS Ambrish, Khilan Patel, Henil Patel, Mohamed Enaan

The ICC Under-19 World Cup Super Six match between India and Zimbabwe showed that Vaibhav Sooryavanshi had advanced his status as a rising cricket player through his aggressive batting performance which included multiple boundary hits. 

The 14-year-old southpaw started his opening batting when he attacked Zimbabwe bowlers during their Powerplay overs. Sooryavanshi scored most of his runs through clean hitting and intelligent shot selection as India reached 99 runs for 1 wicket after their first ten overs. The batsman reached his half-century mark after facing only 24 balls, which tied him with his captain Ayush Mhatre for the second-fastest fifty record in the tournament.

Sooryavanshi shines with quick fifty as India stay in control

Sooryavanshi executed his innings through a combination of aggressive play and controlled batting. He hit every delivery which he saw as overpitching while he controlled all short balls through powerful hits and he achieved successful batting through controlled movement during fielding break periods. His 52 came off 30 deliveries and included eight boundaries - four fours and four sixes - which showed his capacity to defeat bowlers through skillful hits instead of dangerous swinging techniques.

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Ayush Mhatre supported his partner by helping India keep their momentum during the match as Zimbabwe attempted to regain control after they gained permission to position four players outside the fielding circle. The pair maintained enough scoring speed for India to remain above the necessary run rate.

Sooryavanshi left the match during the 12th over when he tried to hit the ball over mid-off but instead threw the ball to the fielder who caught it to give Tatenda Chimugoro his wicket. The opposing team had already sustained major damage from his actions before they managed to dismiss him.

This represents Sooryavanshi's second tournament half-century after he scored 72 runs against Bangladesh. He has scored 166 runs this season with a batting average of 41.50 and a strike rate of 133.87 which currently makes him India's top run scorer while he remains one of the best players in the Under-19 World Cup.

Saqlain Mushtaq, a cricketing legend from Pakistan, has voiced his concern about political instability affecting the game of cricket between India and Pakistan. While it is sad to see what has happened to the relationship between these two countries because of the impact of politics on everything, including sports, Mushtaq is still hopeful that one day cricket will bring both countries together instead of splitting them apart. Mushtaq believes that mixing the two (politics and cricket) is bad for the game and for humanity. He is calling on players and officials to take precedence on sportsmanship and peacefully resolve disputes rather than through politics.

For many years now, the two nations have had a strained working relationship, which has resulted in the fact that neither India nor Pakistan has played in a bilateral series since 2013. Recent incidents such as Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav not shaking hands with his counterpart after a match in the Asia Cup 2025 have highlighted this continuing division. In addition, various security and political events (such as the Pahalgam terror attack) have prompted India to move to neutral locations or to not play matches in Pakistan.

Mushtaq, who enjoyed a strong friendship with many Indian players throughout his playing career, believes that cricket should provide entertainment and friendship. In an interview with ANI, he proclaimed, "Politics is our enemy and is not only causing harm to cricket but also humanity as a whole. Cricket is a sport that was created for the unification of nations, not to divide nations. " Mushtaq is requesting that sports and politics remain separate from one another.

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In Bangladesh, ICC Controversy and Pakistan's boycott stance

The present debate also includes Bangladesh, and its refusal to play at the T20 World Cup 2026 in India has led to discussions regarding the political influence of the game. Although Bangladesh officially stated they felt no security threat to their safety, the country withdrew from participation at the T20 World Cup 2026 due to what they believed to be both political and social pressures. Reports suggest that Pakistan has nearly made the announcement that they will also boycott the T20 World Cup 2026 in solidarity with Bangladesh, despite not having a legitimate reason for withdrawing from the competition.

While commenting on Bangladesh's decision, Saqlain Mushtaq made it clear that he does not support the use of cricket as a tool for political reasons. He reiterated his position that cricket should be a tool of entertainment and a way for people to unify, rather than a battleground for politicians to fight their battles. His comments have come during a time when the world of cricket seems to be struggling to find a balance between the effects of geopolitical conflicts within the sport and the essence of what cricket should represent.

New Zealand is looking to finish their tour of India with a stronger punch by injecting some big names back into their squad with the introduction of experienced players for the last two matches against India. Currently, New Zealand finds itself down 0-3 in the five-match T20I series, and now, more than ever, the team is looking to combine firepower and experience as they head into the T20 World Cup later this month. In an effort to help regain some of the lost momentum for New Zealand, all four of the senior members (Jimmy Neesham, Lockie Ferguson, Tim Seifert, and Finn Allen) have been added to the squad to help bring balance to the team and rebuild their confidence before the conclusion of the T20I series.

New Zealand had a very difficult time earlier in the series, with the Indian lineup showing strength with both bat and ball. New Zealand played without many of their higher-profile players in the first three games, which made it difficult for them to compete against the Indian team's depth and overall intensity of play. With the T20I series being decided already, now is the time to try and test different player combinations, get new players experience, and regain confidence before the World Cup. 

Returning players add a blend of experience and aggression. Neesham provides tactical insight with both bat and ball; Ferguson, returning from injury, brings speed back into the bowling attack; Seifert continues to provide consistency through the middle order. Finn Allen will join for the fifth T20I in Thiruvananthapuram, giving New Zealand explosive starts with the bat. Allen's excellent Big Bash League season resulted in him scoring 466 runs at a strike rate of 184.18.

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Boosting Batting Power for the End of Series

With the final two games to be played in Visakhapatnam and Thiruvananthapuram, New Zealand now possesses an array of players who, if played together correctly, will be able to challenge the perceived dominance of India. This combination of players with experience and players in form gives New Zealand great flexibility to experiment with combinations and strategies as they prepare for the T20 World Cup.

New Zealand has a strong desire to play without fear and therefore has a strong desire to regain respect and consistency through their performance in these next two matches. If successful, this would serve to lift the team's morale but also aid the coaching staff in finalizing team strategies and team lineups leading up to what is expected to be a high-pressure tournament in late 2021.

New Zealand's updated squad for final 2 T20Is vs India

Mitchell Santner (c), Finn Allen, Michael Bracewell, Mark Chapman, Devon Conway, Jacob Duffy, Lockie Ferguson, Matt Henry, Daryl Mitchell, James Neesham, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Tim Seifert, Ish Sodhi, Kyle Jamieson, Zak Foulkes and Bevon Jacobs

Abhishek Sharma's remarkable performance in the third T20I against New Zealand took everyone by surprise; the New Zealand players included. Sunday in Guwahati, Sharma hit everything on the ground. The aggressive style of hitting allowed him to clear the 50-run mark with many balls remaining during his innings. The remarkable display was evident when New Zealand's team responded with surprised laughter and a level of disbelief at the timing, and shots he created during the innings.

The funny moment of the New Zealand players conducting an inspection of Sharma's bat from mid-pitch has captured the attention of cricket fans worldwide. The video clip has since been widely circulated online, showing captain Mitchell Santner, Devon Conway, and Jacob Duffy inspecting Sharma's bat, looking amused while doing so. Their reaction or laughter while inspecting the bat looked like an amused way of expressing admiration for Sharma's excellence and talent. But as funny as this moment was, it highlighted the level of respect and disbelief generated during the cricket community since he began playing internationally.

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The incident also evoked memories of one of Indian cricket’s most talked-about legends. Fans recalled the 2003 World Cup final, when urban myths suggested that Ricky Ponting had used a “spring bat” to devastate India’s bowlers. Two decades later, Abhishek Sharma’s record-breaking blitz has sparked similar jokes and amazement, though it is simply a testament to a young cricketer at the peak of his powers. His combination of timing, strength, and fearless stroke play continues to redefine T20 batting, leaving fans and opponents alike mesmerized.

Watch the video here;

Yesterday, New Zealand players were checking Abhishek Sharma’s bat after the match.

I don't recall any other player’s bat being checked like this

The last time I remember opposition players checking a bat was during Sachin Tendulkar's era

pic.twitter.com/SEgwHktqcn

— Space Recorder (@1spacerecorder) January 26, 2026

India chased down 154 runs target in 10 overs 

Chasing a modest 154, Abhishek Sharma transformed the contest into a one-sided spectacle with a breathtaking assault. The left-hander raced to a half-century in just 14 balls, the second-fastest by an Indian in T20Is, narrowly missing Yuvraj Singh’s famous 2007 mark. What stood out even more was his flawless approach — Abhishek didn’t face a single dot ball, finishing unbeaten on 68 from only 20 deliveries. Alongside Suryakumar Yadav’s rapid 57, India completed the chase in exactly 10 overs.

The emphatic win handed India an unassailable 3-0 advantage in the five-match series and underlined their dominance. New Zealand batter Mark Chapman later lauded Abhishek, calling his six-hitting prowess “second to none.” The Punjab opener, who first grabbed attention with his fearless IPL batting, now owns a staggering T20I strike rate of 195.22. As India gear up to defend their T20 World Cup crown, Abhishek has made it clear the real threat isn’t the bat — it’s the batter.

The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 is scheduled to take place across India and Sri Lanka from February 7 to March 8, marking the 10th edition of the prestigious global tournament. India enter the competition as the defending champions, having lifted the title in the previous edition. With world-class venues and subcontinental conditions in play, the tournament is expected to deliver high-octane cricket and intense rivalries. Fans around the world are gearing up for a month-long spectacle featuring the best T20 talent from across the globe.

A total of 20 teams will compete in the 2026 edition, divided into four groups of five teams each. Co-hosts India have been slotted into Group A, where they will face Namibia, Netherlands, USA, and arch-rivals Pakistan in the group stage. Each team will play the others once, with the top two sides from every group advancing to the Super 8 stage. This phase will further intensify the competition as teams battle for places in the knockout rounds.

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Following the Super 8s, the tournament will move into the knockout phase, beginning with the semifinals. The first semifinal is scheduled for March 4, followed by the second on March 5. The winners will then lock horns in the grand final on March 8 to decide the new world champions. As the countdown to the marquee event begins, fans eagerly await a closer look at the group-wise squads shaping up for what promises to be a thrilling World Cup.

Men's T20 World Cup 2026: Group A squads

With the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 fast approaching, teams are lining up crucial warm-up fixtures to fine-tune combinations and adapt to conditions. The tournament will be played from February 7 to March 8, 2026, across India and Sri Lanka. India are expected to have a limited but important warm-up window, with Navi Mumbai emerging as a key centre for practice games.

India and India ‘A’ warm-up matches at Navi Mumbai

As things stand, three warm-up matches are likely to be staged in Navi Mumbai, involving India, India ‘A’, USA and New Zealand.

Expected warm-up fixtures

*Dates subject to official ICC confirmation

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Just one hit-out for the main India squad

India, led by Suryakumar Yadav, are expected to play only one official warm-up match, against South Africa. This game is likely to be held on February 4, just three days before India begin their title defence.

The Indian squad is expected to assemble in Mumbai around February 2–3, leaving a very tight transition period from bilateral cricket into World Cup mode.

India’s tournament opener

India will kick off their T20 World Cup campaign against the USA on February 7 at the iconic Wankhede Stadium. As defending champions, the emphasis will be on using the lone warm-up to lock in roles, balance workloads and sharpen execution.

Why these warm-ups matter

Warm-up fixtures before ICC tournaments are vital for:

• Assessing pitch and dew conditions
• Finalising playing XIs
• Allowing fringe players a last audition
• Helping teams shift from series cricket into knockout-style intensity
• With India set to get just one live rehearsal, the South Africa clash could prove decisive in shaping their World Cup campaign.

The ICC is expected to officially announce the final warm-up schedule shortly, though minor tweaks remain possible due to late logistical adjustments.

The New Zealand former cricketer Simon Doull has brought back to life for cricket fans the best T20 World Cup games in India history through his selection of five top matches which include exciting plays from matches and display intense emotions and show the players who made their mark on cricket history.

The upcoming ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 has made Doull's selections popular with fans because these selections show how India developed its T20 cricket style through key events which went beyond normal match results.

1. Virat Kohli’s “Shot of the Century” (2022 vs Pakistan)

The cricket world received its first shock when Doull selected this incident at a Melbourne Cricket Ground match. The Indian cricketer Virat Kohli executed an impossible shot by hitting a six over long-off against Haris Rauf during a critical India-Pakistan match at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

Kohli used his perfect timing and steady body control to execute a dangerous batting technique which allowed him to win the match by successfully hitting 160 runs. Doull considers this performance his top choice because he believes the player showed great bravery when he tried to perform this shot at that particular moment. The shot became an instant cricketing legend because it produced more than just a boundary.

2. Yuvraj Singh’s six sixes (2007 vs England)

T20 cricket evolution reached its highest point through this particular event. The 2007 Durban match witnessed Yuvraj Singh hit six consecutive sixes against Stuart Broad which created an enormous impact throughout international cricket.

The 36 runs which India scored during a single over surprised spectators because it established India as a dangerous team in a completely new cricket format. Doull ranks the moment high because it brought T20 cricket to the public and showed baseball enthusiasts a historic battle.

3. Virat Kohli’s Mohali masterclass (2016 vs Australia)

Kohli achieved his performance through a virtual knockout combined with a powerful Australian pace attack and heavy game pressure. His 82 runs without losing a wicket in 51 balls during the match at Mohali stands as one of the greatest T20 chases ever accomplished by an Indian cricketer.

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Kohli used his batting technique to face Starc and Hazlewood and Cummins while he carried India to victory through his unbreakable mental strength. According to Doull the batting performance constitutes the perfect demonstration of batting skill which withstands difficult conditions during an essential match.

4. Suryakumar Yadav’s match-turning catch (2024 final vs South Africa)

Fielding moments have not earned recognition on lists of this nature but this particular moment required inclusion. Suryakumar Yadav completed an incredible boundary catch during the 2024 final which brought India full control of the match after the boundary catch.

Doull describes it as “athletic magic” - a moment that summed up India’s sharp fielding standards and played a crucial role in sealing their second T2O World Cup title.

5. Sreesanth’s catch to seal history (2007 final vs Pakistan)

The moment that started it all. Sreesanth caught a high-pressure catch during the final over of the first T20 World Cup final which resulted in Misbah-ul-Haq's dismissal. The catch won the game for India while it created the Indian T20 legacy which brought home the first world championship in the T20 format.

Doull creates a list which combines nostalgic elements with current information to showcase exceptional skills and the key events which changed game results and tournament outcomes and established Indian T20 cricket identity. The five moments which exist in Indian cricket history will remain permanent despite different discussions regarding player rankings.

Pakistan will decide its participation in the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 after reports indicate that the country might boycott its important group-stage match against India. Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) members and political leaders reacted strongly to the Bangladesh tournament exclusion which created this situation.

Points, penalties and politics: Why boycotting the India clash could backfire on Pakistan

The PCB explored complete tournament withdrawal as a supportive measure for Bangladesh according to multiple Pakistani media reports. The organization has transitioned to considering a possible India match boycott which will take place on February 15 in Colombo. The game will occur at a neutral location because India refused to visit Pakistan for the Champions Trophy 2025.

Mohsin Naqvi, the PCB chairman, has established that government authorities must grant approval before any final decision can occur. Pakistan will decide its participation based on guidance from Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who will conduct a review of the situation before official announcement. Pakistan's position on the matter remains uncertain until that time.

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The BCCI vice-president Rajiv Shukla directed his criticism toward Pakistan because he believed they were wrongly trying to interfere with Bangladesh's situation. His comments increased the already existing high tension between competing teams at the tournament.

Pakistan eye India match boycott as PCB defers final decision to government

The decision to skip the India match will create major problems for Pakistan according to cricketing assessments. The match will take place between USA and the Netherlands and Namibia which all share their battle for Group A supremacy. Pakistan faces urgent pressure to win its upcoming matches because skipping the match would provide India two points through a walkover victory.

The situation will result in both financial consequences and disciplinary actions. The International Cricket Council receives its highest revenue from the India-Pakistan match, and any boycott will result in sanctions and substantial financial penalties.

The upcoming days will determine whether Pakistan will proceed with their planned India match or choose to discontinue their tournament participation despite the option of wearing black armbands as a symbolic protest.

The former Board of Control for Cricket in India president Inderjit Singh Bindra, who is known as I.S. Bindra, died in New Delhi on Sunday after suffering from a long-term illness. He reached the age of 84 at the time of his death. His death ends an important period in Indian cricket administration which he established through his visionary leadership and daring choices and his enduring contributions.

The administrator who helped take Indian cricket global

Bindra held the position of BCCI president from 1993 until 1996 while also serving as the Punjab Cricket Association president from 1978 until 2014. His leadership transformed Punjab into a major center for cricket stadium development throughout India. The PCA Stadium in Mohali was dedicated to I.S. Bindra through a name change that occurred in 2015 because of his outstanding achievements.

International Cricket Council chairman Jay Shah confirmed the news and paid tribute on social media. The statement expressed deepest condolences for Mr. I S Bindra who served as BCCI president and dedicated his life to Indian cricket administration. Shah wrote that his legacy will inspire future generations. Om Shanti.

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Bindra together with Jagmohan Dalmiya who served as BCCI president succeeded in bringing the 1987 ODI World Cup to India which became the first international tournament to take place outside England. The decision established a new path which enabled the sport in India to achieve its first ever period of successful commercial expansion.

Deepest condolences on the passing of Mr. I S Bindra, former BCCI president and a stalwart of Indian cricket administration. May his legacy inspire future generations. Om Shanti 🙏

— Jay Shah (@JayShah) January 25, 2026

The legal move that changed Indian cricket forever

The Supreme Court of India became the target of Bindra's most important action when he filed a lawsuit against Doordarshan's exclusive rights to broadcast cricket matches. The landmark verdict that followed allowed global broadcasters like ESPN and TWI to enter the Indian market which established cricket as a billion-dollar industry.

Despite facing several scandals during his professional life Bindra maintained his reputation as a visionary leader who made significant administrative decisions. His son and daughter survive him while he created a legacy that continues to shape modern Indian cricket.