The sheer look of terror on the faces of the Bangladeshi players told the story of their group stage clash with India after the Tigers turned on 165 runs (DLS adjusted) in the U19 ODI World Cup on January 17.
Even with 10 overs left in the chase and only about 60 runs needed with eight wickets in hand, there seemed to be no way back for India. Playing with the bat and then the ball, India were staring at defeat before the second and final spell of rain changed the rhythm of the match.
U19 World Cup: India vs Bangladesh Highlights
This was followed by an extraordinary Houdini feat from off-spinner Vihaan Malhotra. His spell of 4 for 14 tore through Bangladesh’s middle order in the final hour, triggering a dramatic collapse and helping India register a remarkable 18-run victory.
Bangladesh, who bowled India out for 238 in a reduced 49-over match, were firmly in control before losing eight wickets for 40 runs to pull off a defeat from a winning position. It was India’s second consecutive tournament win.
Bangladesh were bowled out for 146 in 28.3 overs, well short of the revised target of 165 off 29 overs.
How Vihaan Malhotra triggered Bangladesh’s collapse
Chasing 165 from 29 overs after the second rain lasted more than an hour and 30 minutes, Bangladesh were cruising at 102 for 2 after 20 overs, comfortably ahead of DLS’s par score of 88. As a final throw of the dice, Ayush Mhatre brought in his part-time spinner Vihaan Malhotra hoping to finish the match early.
What followed was a stunning collapse brought about by Malhotra’s disciplined off-spin, backed by timely strikes from the other end.
Malhotra, who had struggled with the bat earlier, scored 7 off 24 balls, mixing pace and flight brilliantly to dismantle the middle order and remove Kalam Siddiki (15), Sheikh Parvez Jibon (7), Rizan Hossan (15) and Samiun Basir (2) in a decisive spell that swung the match sharply in India’s direction.
Bangladesh lost five wickets in the space of 33 balls as panic set in.
Khilan Patel struck the decisive blow with his left arm to dismiss Bangladesh skipper Azizul Hakim, who top-scored with a patient 51 off 72 balls.
Hakim, aware of the DLS equation, played a composed innings but misjudged a full toss to the waist from Khilan, he tried to shoot long on but picked the fielder in the deep, effectively ending Bangladesh’s resistance.
Henil Patel then wrapped up the end by removing Iqbal Hossain Emon as Bangladesh were dismissed for 146 in 28.3 overs, sealing victory for India.
In extraordinary scenes, Malhotra took the last catch of the match with a sensational leap to the long-on boundary to seal the deal for the Indian team.
The U19 boys, delirious with victory, embraced and celebrated like never before after miraculously escaping certain defeat.
U-19 World Cup: Bangladesh’s collapse
Earlier, Bangladesh’s chase got off to a positive start despite an early knock when Deepesh Devendran removed Zawad Abrar in the opening over.
A steady fifty-plus partnership between Rifat Beg and Hakim set Bangladesh firmly on course, with Beg scoring an aggressive 37 off 37 balls, hitting four fours and a six, including a confident loft over off-spinner Kanishk Chouhan’s deep square leg.
With Hakim anchored at one end and the run rate in check, Bangladesh looked well placed until Malhotra’s strike changed the complexion of the match.
The collapse overshadowed an earlier good bowling effort by Bangladeshi pacer Al Fahad, whose five wickets laid the foundation for the contest.
India’s innings was anchored by Abhigjan Kundu and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi battling for half-centuries after Bangladesh opted to field in overcast conditions.
Vaibhav, known for his attacking prowess, was forced into an unusually restrained role and scored a composed 72 off 67 balls with six fours and three sixes after India lost two wickets in two deliveries early on.
Kundu then played a measured knock of 80 off 112 balls, hitting four fours and three sixes and making full use of two reprieve to guide India past the 200-run mark. The duo added 62 runs off 101 balls to steady the innings after the top-order collapsed.
Fahad had earlier rattled India by removing skipper Ayush Mhatre and Vedant Trivedi in quick succession, while Hakim supported well with 2 for 42, including the wicket of Kanishk Chouhan, who hit a brisk 28 during a 54-run stand with Kundu.
India were eventually bowled out for 238 in 48.4 overs after an hour-long rain interruption during their innings reduced the match to 49 overs per side.
– The end
Issued by:
Kingshuk Kusari
Published on:
January 17, 2026