यूएसए अंडर-19 vs भारत अंडर-19, मैच 1 Commentary, Live Updates

Right then, that is it from this rain-marred game where India Under-19 got the better of USA Under-19. We will see both these sides return to the Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo, with India set to take on Bangladesh Under-19 on 17th January, Saturday, while USA will face New Zealand Under-19 on 18th January, Sunday. Both matches will begin at 7.30 am GMT (1 pm IST), but as you know, you can join us early for all the build-up to both encounters. Until then, cheers and goodbye!

Ayush Mhatre, the victorious skipper of India Under-19, says that his team faced a tough challenge, as the opposing bowlers bowled well and consistently hit good areas. While his team could have batted better, he accepts that it's all part of the game and they're moving forward. Mhatre commends the bowlers for their excellent effort, praising them for reading the conditions well and using them smartly. He attributes their success to their discipline in keeping things simple and bowling the right lengths, without trying to do too much. The team's approach was to keep things straightforward, trusting their basics and building partnerships. The batters were encouraged to play normal cricket and not overcomplicate things, which suggests a calm and focused approach from the team.

Utkarsh Srivastava, the captain of USA Under-19, says that their strength is to put runs on the board and then defend it, that's why they batted first. Adds that in the first hour or so, the ball was swinging, and they were poking a lot outside off, and did not read the conditions correctly. Mentions that they needed to play a bit smart, and then they could have posted a better total. Says that playing with emotions is also one of their strengths, as they love this game. They have been playing together since they were kids and have nothing to lose, and want to give everything out there. Tells that they want to upset teams in this tournament. Further adds that they have two quality off-spinners, and there were two left-handers, so that's why he brought spin on to try and pick up a wicket. Shares that they were a bit nervous, but that won't be the case in the next game. Ends by saying that they want to play freely rather than being restricted.

Henil Patel is the PLAYER OF THE MATCH for his brillaint five-wicket haul. He describes the conditions as fairly normal with a bit of swing in the air due to the weather. He stuck to a simple plan of bowling slightly fuller and just ahead of a good length, allowing the conditions to do the work. He trusted the swing and was fortunate to get the desired results. Patel also mentions that his skipper set most of the fields, but he draws inspiration from his idol, Dale Steyn, known for his aggression and intensity. Patel tries to bring a similar attitude to his bowling. During the game, Patel made some adjustments to his length, starting fuller and then going slightly shorter, based on his reading of the conditions. He didn't discuss these changes with anyone beforehand, preferring to adapt on the go. Patel is thrilled to have taken his first five-wicket haul of the edition, which gives him and the bowling unit a lot of confidence. He's proud of his performance and feels that it sets a good tone for the tournament.

Presentation Time...

USA Under-19 can be very proud of their bowling effort while defending, but they were always likely to be a few runs short. Ritvik Appidi set the tone with an early breakthrough and then struck again immediately after the rain break, with raw emotion on display from the fielding side. Things might have been even better had Amrinder Gill held on to Ayush Mhatre's catch off the very first ball. Utkarsh Srivastava and Rishabh Shimpi also picked up a wicket each, but USA needed to build on the strong start they made on either side of the rain delay. Even so, this performance will serve as a learning experience, and they will look to use it to challenge some of the bigger teams in the tournament.

Earlier in the game, after being put in to bat first, USA Under-19 were bundled out for a modest 107. A few top-order batters showed early promise but failed to convert their starts, with Nitish Sudini the lone source of real resistance. He displayed sound technique and composure, scoring 36 off 52 balls to push the total into three figures. Henil Patel was the standout bowler for India Under-19 with a magnificent five-wicket haul that will give him a big confidence boost heading into the rest of the tournament. Kanishk Chouhan was the only bowler to go wicketless but remained economical, while the rest chipped in with a wicket apiece. A sharp run-out from Vihaan Malhotra in the middle summed up a dominant all-round effort in the field.

With the pressure mounting, India Under-19 needed someone to bring a sense of calm, and Abhigyan Kundu did exactly that. He showed no signs of nerves, played within himself, and kept the scoreboard moving while finding timely boundaries to ease the pressure. Alongside Vihaan Malhotra, he stitched together a crucial 45-run stand that all but broke the back of the chase. Malhotra could not stay till the end, but Kundu ensured there were no further hiccups, finishing unbeaten on 42 and sealing the win in style with a towering six to hit the winning runs.

The chase did not get off to the best start as India Under-19 lost Vaibhav Sooryavanshi very early, but Ayush Mhatre counter-attacked after being given a life off the very first ball. India were 21/1 after four overs when play was halted due to lightning. Rain then followed, leading to an almost two-hour delay, and there would have been some anxiety in the Indian camp about the possibility of sharing points despite their dominance for large parts of the game. That, however, was not the case. Once the weather cleared, play resumed with India set a revised DLS target of 96 runs in 37 overs. Soon after the restart, a light drizzle returned, and in their attempt to score quickly, the Indian batters slipped to 25/3, suddenly finding themselves in a spot of bother.

India Under-19 begin their World Cup campaign with a win, but it was far from straightforward and certainly not short of drama and excitement. They will gladly take the two points, which is what matters most, especially with the result appearing in danger of being shared at one stage. Credit must also go to USA Under-19, who gave it their all to try and turn very little into a contest. Despite the loss, they will take plenty of positives into their upcoming games and will be a side to watch out for in the tournament.

SIX! A big blow to finish off the game! This is fuller, with some flight, on off. Abhigyan Kundu charges down the ground, golfs it up and over the long on fence for half a dozen. India Under-19 beat USA Under-19 by 6 wickets (DLS method).

Short and outside off, Kanishk Chouhan slaps it to deep cover for a single.

Full, on off, Abhigyan Kundu stabs it to point for no runs.

FOUR! Decisive footwork from Kundu! Tossed up, fuller, on middle, Abhigyan Kundu shimmies down the track and lofts it over the mid on fielder for four more runs.

Full, on off, Abhigyan Kundu defends it to cover.

Full, around off, Kanishk Chouhan knocks it to long on for one.

Fuller, on off, Abhigyan Kundu pushes it to mid off for a single.

Tossed up, on middle, Abhigyan Kundu charges down the track and drills it to mid on for no run.

Short, outside off, Kanishk Chouhan punches it to backward point.

Short, around off, Kanishk Chouhan slaps it to wide off deep cover for a brace.

Short, outside off, Kanishk Chouhan punches it to cover.

TWO BYES! A tad fuller, pitching it just outside off and turns it away. Kanishk Chouhan sits on one knee to sweep it over mid-wicket, but gets beaten on the outside edge. The keeper gets some glove on it but parries it behind, as the first slip fielder runs after it to collect. The batters takes two runs.

Fuller, just outside off, Abhigyan Kundu rocks back and dabs it to the front of the cover fielder with soft hands and gets a single.

Short, outside off, Kanishk Chouhan pushes it to the right of the backward point fielder and gets a quick single.

Short and wide outside off. Abhigyan Kundu frees his arms and cuts it hard to the left of the deep cover fielder for a couple of runs.

Full, on off, Abhigyan Kundu pushes it to cover.

Fuller, spinning in, on leg, Kanishk Chouhan rocks back and pushes it to long on for one.

Fullish, on off, Kanishk Chouhan leans on the delivery to defend it right under his sight.

A tad fuller, on off, Abhigyan Kundu works it to the left of the mid on fielder for a single.

Fuller, just outside off, Abhigyan Kundu drives it to cover.

Tossed up, on off, Abhigyan Kundu drives it to long off for a single. 20 runs more needed for India Under-19!

Short, on off, Abhigyan Kundu defends it down.

Fuller, around middle, Abhigyan Kundu lunges and drills it back to the bowler.

Short and just outside off, Abhigyan Kundu makes a leave at it.

Full, around off, Kanishk Chouhan drives it to long off for one.

Full, on middle, Kanishk Chouhan lunges to defend, but gets the inside edge and it rolls to square leg.

Short and outside off, Kanishk Chouhan cuts it gently, past the point fielder. Shampi sprints to his left from the sweeper cover region and flicks the ball back just before it touches the boundary ropes. Three runs taken between the sticks.

Full, outside off, Kanishk Chouhan fends it away.

WIDE! Fuller, but angling it down the leg side. Kanishk Chouhan misses the flick.

Short, just outside off, Kanishk Chouhan pushes it back to the bowler.

Kanishk Chouhan walks out to bat now.

OUT! EDGED AND TAKEN! The skipper of USA Under-19 has stepped up when his team needed a breakthrough. He pitches it up and just outside off, turning the delivery away from the left-hander. Vihaan Malhotra lunges halfway and looks to defend it to cover, but gets nicked on the outside edge. The ball flies to first slip, where Sahil Garg gets down to his right to take a sharp catch. Malhotra walks back for 18 off 17, and the 45-run stand has been broken now.

Short, around off, Abhigyan Kundu slaps it to deep cover for a single.

Fuller, around off, Abhigyan Kundu punches it to cover.

Short, around off, Abhigyan Kundu pats it through cover for a single.

Fuller, on off, Abhigyan Kundu works it to mid-wicket.

Fuller, just outside off, Abhigyan Kundu defends it to backward point.

Pitches up, does Sabrish Prasad, on off, Abhigyan Kundu drives it toward the left of the deep cover fielder for a couple of runs.

Shoer, outside off, India Under-19 slaps it to deep cover for one.

FOUR! That's easy pickings for Vihaan Malhotra! Full-length delivery, around the pads of the batter. Vihaan Malhotra goes deep into the crease and tickles it past the left of the fine leg fielder, who gives a chase but the ball races away for four runs.

Quicker, full and on middle, Abhigyan Kundu uses his feet and drills it back to the bowler.

Short and on middle, Vihaan Malhotra nudges it through mid-wicket for one.

Slows it up, full and ono ff, Vihaan Malhotra steers it to point.

RUN OUT CHANCE....MISSED! Flatter, full and on off, Vihaan Malhotra taps it wide of point and sets off for the run, but is sent back when he is halfway through. Sabrish Prasad runs to his left, picks it up but throws it well wide of the keeper, who fails to collect it. Vihaan was not even in the frame. A massive chance goes begging for USA Under-19.

Flighted, full and outside off, Abhigyan Kundu uses his feet and drills it away to sweeper cover for a single.

Tossed up, full and on off, Abhigyan Kundu prods forward and taps it to short cover.

A bit quicker, full and on middle, keeps low, Abhigyan Kundu pushes it to cover for a quick one.

Another short delivery, on middle, Vihaan Malhotra nudges it through mid-wicket for one.

Dragged back again and outside off, Vihaan Malhotra cuts it wide of deep point for a brace. India Under-19 need 39 more runs to win.

Short again and outside off, Abhigyan Kundu punches it through covers for a run.

Goes short and around off, Abhigyan Kundu dabs it to point.

Flatter, full and on leg, Vihaan Malhotra flicks it to deep mid-wicket for a single.

USA Under-19 are ready to make their first change as Sabrish Prasad has been introduced into the attack to offer some turn.

FOUR! Nicely played! Ritvik Appidi bowls this on a hard length and just around off, Abhigyan Kundu reaches out for it and punches it. He does not try to hit it too hard, just opens the face of his bat and times it through point as the ball zips through the wet outfield to the fence for a boundary. 50 UP FOR INDIA.

Superb fielding! Short of a length and outside off, Abhigyan Kundu cuts it on the bounce wide of backward point. Utkarsh Srivastava puts in a full-length dive to his left to make an excellent stop.

Pull his length back a bit, on off, Abhigyan Kundu steers it away to backward point.

Touch fuller and on off, Vihaan Malhotra knocks it towards mid off for a run.

Back of a length and outside off, Vihaan Malhotra carves it away wide of deep third. The fielder runs to his right but the ball spins away. He does well to stick his righ hand out to stop it, but that gives enough time to the batters to cross each other twice.

On a length and around off, Abhigyan Kundu guides it to third man for a single.

End of the first Powerplay! Now, USA Under-19 are allowed to place four fielders outside the inner ring till the 30th over.

Goes into the surface, on off, gets it to shape away, Vihaan Malhotra lets it go to the keeper.

Hits the length hard and around off, Vihaan Malhotra stays back and punches it to extra cover.

Length again and just outside off, Vihaan Malhotra lets it go.

Short of a length and on off, Abhigyan Kundu pats it iin front of short cover for a single.

WIDE! Good length but a bit too outside off, Abhigyan Kundu leaves it alone. Wided.

FOUR! Oh..even better! Full again and on middle, Abhigyan Kundu once again presents the full face of the bat, holds his shape and drives it away, beating mid on to his right for another boundary. Holds his pose for the cameras.

FOUR! Cracking stroke! Rishabh Shimpi goes a bit too full in search of swing, on middle and leg. Abhigyan Kundu shows the full face of the bat and plays a delicious on drive past mid on for a boundary.

Hard length and on off, Abhigyan Kundu dabs it in front of point for one.

Pitched up and on off, Abhigyan Kundu gets behind the line of it and blocks it out.

On a length and on off, Abhigyan Kundu pats it towards short cover.

EDGED BUT SAFE! Hits the length hard and on off, shapes away with extra bounce. Vihaan Malhotra pushes at it, but with hard hands. Gets an outside edge that flies through the vacant second slip region for a single.

Much fuller and on middle, Vihaan Malhotra knocks it down the pitch to the left of mid on.

FOUR! Gets off the mark in style! Short of a length and around off. Vihaan Malhotra hops up to ride the bounce, gets on top of it and punches it with sweet timing through covers for another boundary.

It seems the slight drizzle has stopped now.

Back of a length, outside off, Abhigyan Kundu makes a leave at it.

FOUR! Excellent shot! Rishabh Shimpi goes full again but a bit outside off. Abhigyan Kundu gets his hands through the shot and drives it crisply through covers for a boundary.

Fuller and on off, Abhigyan Kundu pushes it to cover.

Back of a length and on off, Abhigyan Kundu keeps it out to the off side.

USA Under-19 are all over India Under-19 here. Out comes Abhigyan Kundu as the third man down.

OUT! TAKEN! Oh..my. What is happening here in Bulawayo? India Under-19 are digging themselves into a hole here. Rishabh Shimpi goes short again but into the body of the batter this time. Ayush Mhatre looks to pull it away but is cramped up and the ball gets big on him as well. It goes off the top edge and flies towards deep fine leg. Amrinder Gill slips, but recovers well to settle under it and takes a fantastic catch under pressure. He makes up for his earlier dropped catch, and the Indian skipper departs for a run-a-ball 19. India Under-19 are 25/3, chasinig 96 runs.

EDGED AND FOUR! It's all happening here. Rishabh Shimpi bangs this into the pitch, on middle, takes off a bit as well. Ayush Mhatre looks to pull it away but gets hurried on his shot. It goes off the top edge and flies just over first slip for a boundary.

Things just got a bit interesting here. Ritvik Appidi has started with a maiden-wicket over after the rain delay. Also, Vihaan Malhotra comes out to the middle now.

OUT! TAKEN! Ritvik Appidi gets another wicket and out comes the pumped celebration. Back of a length, just outside off, Vedant Trivedi rocks back and crunches a cut shot, but straight at Amrinder Gill in the point region. He doesn't really have to move a bit to take the catch. Gill had already spilled a catch earlier, but this time he made sure he grabbed it well into his hands. India Under-19 have lost two of their batters and have put 21 runs on the board so far.

Uh.oh! There is a slight drizzle around the ground again, but it is not that heavy to stop play at the moment.

On a length, outside off, Vedant Trivedi defends it to his front.

Short, outside off, Vedant Trivedi presses forward and looks to drive it through cover, but once again misses on the outside edge.

Pitches it up, swinging it away from the batter, Vedant Trivedi looks to drive but gets beaten on the outside edge.

Fuller, on off, Vedant Trivedi defends it down the track.

Back of a length, around off, Vedant Trivedi blocks it away.

The players have entered the ground for the resumption. Ayush Mhatre and Vedant Trivedi to restart their inning. Ritvik Appidi will continue from this end after the break.

UPDATE - Good news, we have a start time! The action will resume at 1.15 pm GMT (6.45 pm IST) and the match has been reduced to 37 overs.  The revised target is 96. 3 Bowlers can bowl a maximum of 7 overs, and 2 bowlers can bowl a maximum of 8 overs. Also, the Powerplays will be from 1 to 8, 9 to 30, and 31 to 37 overs.

UPDATE - 12.55 pm GMT (6.25 pm GMT) - The rain has stopped now, but the groundstaff will need a bit of time to prepare the ground as there are a few puddles of water. Hopefully, the rain stays away now, and we get to see the young talents in action once again.

The game between West Indies Under-19 and Tanzania Under-19 has wrapped up, with the Windies opening their account in the World Cup. Tanzania put up a spirited fight and made things difficult towards the end, reducing West Indies to 114/5 through strong spells from Raymond Francis Emmanuel and Augustine Mwamele, but they ultimately did not have enough runs to defend. Despite the result, Tanzania can take plenty of positives from this performance as they look to build on it in the games to come. Meanwhile, the other fixture of the day between co-hosts Zimbabwe Under-19 and Scotland Under-19 in Harare never got underway, as rain and a wet outfield forced the match to be abandoned without a ball being bowled.

UPDATE - 12.20 pm GMT (5.50 pm IST) - The live visuals show that more covers have been brought on in and around the pitch as it has started to rain now. The forecast also does not look promising, as we have already mentioned before the game started. Fingers crossed!

Well this game is on pause, but not the match between West Indies Under-19 and Tanzania Under-19 as it's rolling at full pace at the High Performance Oval, in Windhoek, Namibia. West Indies is closing in on a comfortable victory after restricting Tanzania to 122 all out in 34 overs. Tanzania's tournament debut began promisingly with a 50-run opening stand between Dylan Manish Thakrar and Darpan Dipakkumar Jobanputra, but they struggled against a clinical West Indian attack led by Vitel Orlando Lawes and Micah McKenzie, who combined to dismantle the middle and lower order. In response, the West Indies have reached 109/3 after 19 overs, needing just 14 more runs to win. Tanez Francis and Jewel Andrew led the chase with an aggressive 80-run partnership, with the former scoring a half-century, which has put them on the verge of victory.

UPDATE - 11.33 pm GMT (5.03 pm IST) - It is not raining, but the covers have been put on in case there is any rain during this break. The longer the delay gets, the more anxious the India Under-19 camp will get. Despite a decent start for the USA Under-19 with the ball, this game is very much for India's to lose. They will not want the weather to take away crucial points from them.

UPDATE - 11.15 pm GMT (4.45 pm IST) - The players are walking back to the pavilions and it's because of the lightning protocols. It happens when there is lightning in the close vicinity of the ground, and we can surely say it's the right decision by the umpires. USA Under-19 would not like it because they have a really good start except for leaking a couple of boundaries, but it's about the safety of the young cricketers. Let's hope the situation gets better from here on and not worse.

Game stopped due to : Wet Ground Condition

Game stopped due to : Bad Weather Condition

JUST SHORT! Hard length and around leg, Ayush Mhatre clips it uppishly towards short mid-wicket. Adit Kappa dives forward but the ball just bounces in front of his hands. Except for the dropped catch on the first ball, USA Under-19 have been really good so far.

Short of a length and on off, Ayush Mhatre dabs it down to point.

Much fuller and on middle, shaping in, Ayush Mhatre defends it with a straight bat right under his eyes.

Back of a length and outside off, Vedant Trivedi cuts it through backward point for a single.

WIDE! Goes fuller but down the leg side, Vedant Trivedi fails to flick it away. Wided.

Good length and around leg, Vedant Trivedi clips it to short mid-wicket.

On a length and on middle, Vedant Trivedi blocks it out.

FOUR! Good shot! Ritvik Appidi bangs this into the pitch and just outside off. Ayush Mhatre plays it like a tennis player. He extends his arms to reach out and swats it down to the long off fence for a boundary.

Good running! Touch fuller and on off, Ayush Mhatre opens the face of his bat and guides it wide of deep third and comes back for the second run.

Short of a length and outside off, Ayush Mhatre slaps it to short extra cover.

On a length and around off, Vedant Trivedi pats it towards point for a quick single.

Vedant Trivedi walks up as the first down batter. Ritvik Appidi has now opted for two slip fielders to put some pressure on the new batter.

OUT! BOWLED'EM! Ritvik Appidi strikes, and he is absolutely pumped up, and so is the entire USA Under-19 team. Massive wicket for them. This is on a hard length and on middle and leg, nips back in a bit. Vaibhav Sooryavanshi charges down the track to pull it away but gets cramped up for room. It takes the inside edge of his bat and crashes onto the stumps, sending the leg pole out of the ground. Sooryavanshi departs for 2 off 4, and India Under-19 are 12/1, chasing 108 runs.

Good-length delivery around off, angling away, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi plays well inside the line of it and lets it go.

FOUR! In the air but into the gap as well! Rishabh Shimpi bowls a full toss, outside off, Ayush Mhatre reaches out for it but loses his bottom hand. It flies off the outer half of the bat and goes well wide of the cover fielder for another boundary.

On a length and around leg, Ayush Mhatre clips it to square leg.

FOUR! Classy shot! Rishabh Shimpi goes full again and on off. Ayush Mhatre presents the full face of the bat and drives it gloriously back past the bowler, towards the long off fence for the first boundary of the chase.

Taken but it won't count! Pitched up and around off, Ayush Mhatre has a big heave across the line but gets an outside edge towards second slip. Utkarsh Srivastava leaps up and grabs it well to certainly save the boundary.

Fuller and on middle and leg, Ayush Mhatre knocks it to the right of the bowler. Oh..the umpire stretches his right hand to signal a No Ball. Shimpi has overstepped here. Free Hit to follow.

Touch fuller and on off, shapes in a again, Ayush Mhatre gets behind the line of it and keeps it out to the off side.

Hint of movement! Rishabh Shimpi begins with a hard-length delivery, on middle, nips back in, Ayush Mhatre stays back and blocks it out.

Who will share the new ball? Rishabh Shimpi it is!

Uppish but safe! Ritvik Appidi lands this on a good length and around off, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi tries to pull it across the line but ends up slicing it as his bat turns in his hands. It flies just over the backtracking mid off fielder. Two taken. End of an eventful first over!

Play and a miss! Ritvik Appidi hits the length hard and just outside off, angling away. Vaibhav Sooryavanshi tries to cut it away but gets beaten by pace and bounce.

Ayush Mhatre and India Under-19 are underway in the chase! Full again and around off, Mhatre opens the face of his bat and guides it to deep third for a single.

Goes fuller and well outside off, but just inside the tramline, Ayush Mhatre leaves it alone.

Back of a length and on off, Ayush Mhatre stays back and blocks it out.

DROPPED! A massive moment in the game! Ritvik Appidi starts with a short-of-a-length delivery, outside off. Ayush Mhatre sees this as a scoring opportunity. He hops up and cuts, but fails to keep it down as it flies straight towards point. Amrinder Gill gets low to his front but fails to hold on to it. It would have been a dream start for USA Under-19, but Mhatre gets a life instead.