Rain interrupted the crucial U19 World Cup match between India and New Zealand in Bulawayo, impacting both teams’ standings as they vie for Super 6 points.
Rain once again disrupted the U19 Cricket World Cup 2026, as the Group B match between India U19 and New Zealand U19 was halted midway on Saturday in Bulawayo. The interruption occurred at a pivotal moment, with India having made a strong start by reducing New Zealand to 17 runs for the loss of three wickets.
This match is significant for both teams, as they have already qualified for the Super 6 stage. The points and net run rate (NRR) from this game will carry forward, meaning any reduction in overs or a complete washout could directly affect their standings as they move into the next phase of the tournament.
The India vs New Zealand U19 World Cup match is scheduled for Saturday, January 24. Both teams are eager to secure maximum points to bolster their positions in the Super 6 stage.
Fans can catch the live action on the Star Sports Network, while live streaming is available through the JioCinema app and website.
The match was set to begin at 1:00 PM IST, although weather conditions have already caused delays and may lead to further reductions in play.
The toss for the match occurred at 12:30 PM IST, with India choosing to bowl first. This decision proved beneficial as they quickly claimed early wickets before rain halted play.
The venue for this match is the Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo, known for its tendency to assist fast bowlers, particularly in overcast conditions. These weather factors have added to the challenges faced by the batters during the game.
At the time rain stopped play, New Zealand was struggling at 17 runs for 3 wickets in just 7.1 overs. RS Ambrish led the Indian bowling attack with two early wickets, while Henil Patel contributed with another breakthrough. The persistent drizzle forced players off the field, prompting officials to reassess the playing conditions.
The match had already been shortened to 47 overs per side due to an earlier rain delay.
With rain returning after the initial restart, the likelihood of further overs being lost remains high. Should play resume later, officials may need to reduce the game further under the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern method. Continuous rain, however, raises the possibility of the match being abandoned altogether.
If the match is completely washed out, both teams will receive one point each. Since both India and New Zealand have already advanced to the Super 6 stage, the abandoned match could still impact their net run rate, which often plays a crucial role later in the tournament. Currently, India holds a stronger NRR, which could provide them an advantage if points are shared.
The pitch at Queens Sports Club has demonstrated early movement for seamers throughout the tournament. The cloudy conditions and moisture in the pitch have favored fast bowlers, while batting becomes easier as the ball ages. However, rain interruptions have made the conditions increasingly unpredictable.
The India U19 squad includes Ayush Mhatre (captain), Vaibhav Suryavanshi, Vedant Trivedi, Vihaan Malhotra, Abhigyan Kundu (wicketkeeper), Harvansh Pangalia, Kanishk Chouhan, RS Ambrish, Khilan Patel, Henil Patel, Deepesh Devendran, Udhav Mohan, Kishan Kumar Singh, Aaron George, and Mohamed Enaan.
New Zealand’s U19 squad features Aryan Mann, Hugo Bogue, Tom Jones (captain), Snehith Reddy, Marco Alpe (wicketkeeper), Jacob Cotter, Jaskaran Sandhu, Callum Samson, Flynn Morey, Selwin Sanjay, Mason Clarke, Harry Burns, Brandon Matzopoulos, Hunter Shore, Harry Waite, and Luke Harrison.
This match’s outcome will be closely watched, as both teams aim to solidify their positions in the tournament moving forward, according to The Sunday Guardian.