In a riveting performance, India’s U19 cricket team set an impressive target of 353 runs for Zimbabwe U19 during the Super Sixes at the Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo on January 27. Vihaan Malhotra played a crucial role, scoring an unbeaten 109 runs off 107 balls. He was supported by Abhigyan Kundu, who contributed with a solid 61 runs, and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, who added 52 runs to the total.
Match Summary
The match commenced with Zimbabwe winning the toss and opting to field first. Indian openers Aaron George and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi started aggressively, gathering 15 runs in the second over. The innings saw a variety of contributions, with multiple players stepping up.
Key Performances
- Vihaan Malhotra: 109* runs from 107 balls.
- Abhigyan Kundu: 61 runs from 62 balls.
- Vaibhav Sooryavanshi: 52 runs from 30 balls.
Inning Highlights
After a challenging start, Captain Ayush Mhatre joined George at the crease. Even after George’s dismissal in the fifth over, Mhatre and Sooryavanshi worked effectively to anchor the innings. Vaibhav’s rapid fifty came off just 24 balls, marking it as one of the tournament’s fastest. India reached their 100-run mark quickly, driven by aggressive batting.
As the innings progressed, Kundu and Malhotra formed a formidable partnership of 113 runs for the fifth wicket. Kundu secured his fifty with a pair of boundaries, while Malhotra maintained the momentum until the end. He finished with a flourish, remaining unbeaten as India posted 352 runs for the loss of 8 wickets after 50 overs.
Bowling Analysis
Tatenda Chimugoro stood out for Zimbabwe, claiming 3 wickets for 49 runs. Despite a strong effort from the bowlers, India’s batting depth proved too challenging.
Next Steps for Zimbabwe
In response, Zimbabwe U19 requires 353 runs to secure victory. At the time of writing, they were struggling at 18 runs for the loss of 2 wickets after six overs. The path ahead will demand a stellar batting performance to chase down the substantial target set by India.
As the match progresses, both teams aim to secure their positions in this critical stage of the tournament. With strong performances from Malhotra and his teammates, India U19 has placed themselves in a commanding position.
