India lost to England by 20 runs (DLS Method) on Monday at the Bulawayo Athletic Club in its final warm-up match at the Under-19 World Cup 2026.
Captain Thomas Rew’s unbeaten 71 off 66 balls had led England to 196 for three when rain halted the match after 34.3 overs had been bowled. England was well ahead of the par-score of 177 runs by this point.
Defending 295, India was off to a flying start after Henil Patel removed opener Ben Dawkins in the second over. Joseph Moores and Ben Mayes added 77 for the second wicket and staged a recovery.
But left-arm orthodox Khilan Patel accounted for both, leaving England three down for 104 in the 19th over. But Rew took matters into his own hands and swung the momentum in his team’s favour with six fours and three sixes. Caleb Falconer’s 43-ball 29 also played a crucial role in England edging out India.
In the first innings, Ayush Mhatre provided India a brisk start after winning the toss and opting to bat. But his 49 off 40 was the only assured hand in the top order. Vaibhav Suryavanshi was dismissed for one, while Vihaan Malhotra and Vedant Trivedi scored 10 and 14 runs, respectively.
By the time Mhatre was caught behind off James Minto, India was reeling at 79 for four. But Abhigyan Kundu’s 82-run innings salvaged India from the precarious position. The wicketkeeper-batter put up 97 runs for the fifth wicket with R.S. Ambrish.
Kanishk Chouhan notched up 45 off just 36 balls to provide the final flourish, taking India to a 295 for eight. Minto was the pick among England bowlers, ending with five for 34 from eight overs.
India faces USA next in its campaign opener on January 15 at the Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo. England will face Pakistan on January 16 in Harare.
Brief scores
India Under-19 295/8 in 50 overs (Ayush Mhatre 49, Abhigyan Kundu 82, R.S. Ambrish 48, Kanishk Chouhan 45 n.o., James Minto 5/34) lost to England Under-19 196/3 in 34.3 overs (Joseph Moores 46, Ben Mayes 34, Thomas Rew 71 n.o.); Toss: India Under-19.
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