New Delhi: In an anticlimactic moment for the Indian fans, 14-year-old Bihar batting prodigy Vaibhav Sooryavanshi failed his first test at the world stage after being dismissed cheaply in the U-19 World Cup opener between India and the United States at the Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo.
Coming into the marquee tournament on the back of some big scores and with a massive reputation, Sooryanshi had a short stay of four balls at the crease against the minnows of world cricket.
A rare failure for Sooryavanshi
The Bihar batter, who broke a plethora of records in youth cricket, was dismissed for 2 as the USA got off to a perfect start while defending a paltry 107-run total. The explosive southpaw tried to stamp his authority over the USA bowlers but failed miserably.
The young opener was clean bowled by Ritvik Appidi while attempting a wild hoick across the line. The right-arm pacer broke into wild celebrations after getting the prized wicket of arguably the biggest name in junior cricket around the world.
Chasing 108, India were 21 for 1 in four overs when rain stopped play in Bulawayo. Skipper Ayush Mhatre (15) and Vedant Trivedi (2) were in the middle when covers came on.
Henil Patel breathes fire in Bulawayo
Earlier, Henil Patel led a sensational bowling effort with a five-wicket haul as India skittled the USA for a paltry 107 in 35.2 overs.
Innings Break!
Henil Patel’s brilliant figures of 5️⃣/1️⃣6️⃣ help India U19 restrict USA U19 to 107 👏
Over to our batters 🙌
Scorecard ▶️ https://t.co/AMFM5Bk4oI#U19WorldCup pic.twitter.com/Ro8Fy9Pkly
— BCCI (@BCCI) January 15, 2026
The right-arm pacer, who hails from the coastal Gujarat town of Valsad, finished with outstanding figures of 5/16 from seven overs with one maiden, demolishing the USA batting order after India opted to bowl under overcast conditions.
Patel struck in his very first over, dismissing Amrinder Gill (1) before inflicting a devastating double blow, removing captain Utkarsh Srivastava for a five-ball duck and dismissing wicketkeeper Arjun Mahesh (16) in the same over as USA slumped to 35/4.
Nitish Sudini played a counter-attacking knock of 36 off 52 balls to take USA past 50, but Henil returned to wipe the tail, dismissing Sabrish Prasad (7) and Rishabh Shimpi (0) to complete his five-for. India are placed in Group B alongside USA, Bangladesh and New Zealand.
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