India U19 Kicks Off World Cup Campaign Against USA in Bulawayo
The Indian Under-19 cricket team starts their journey in the ICC Under-19 World Cup 2026 with an opening match against the United States of America. This exciting clash marks the beginning of the tournament for both teams. Captain Ayush Mhatre leads the Indian side into this crucial fixture.
Match Schedule and Venue Details
The India versus USA Under-19 World Cup match will take place on Thursday, January 15, 2026. The Queen Sports Club in Bulawayo hosts this important encounter. Cricket fans can tune in at 1:00 PM Indian Standard Time for the start of play.
Team captains will make crucial decisions at the toss scheduled for 12:30 PM IST. This gives both sides a final opportunity to assess conditions before the match begins.
How to Watch the Match Live
Indian viewers have multiple options to follow the action. The Star Sports Network will broadcast the match live on television. For digital streaming, the JioHotstar app provides complete coverage of the Under-19 World Cup.
Fans can access live scores and commentary through these platforms. This ensures nobody misses any exciting moments from the tournament opener.
Team India's Recent Form and Squad
India enters this World Cup with strong momentum. The team recently completed a convincing 3-0 series sweep against South Africa. This dominant performance boosts confidence ahead of the global tournament.
Opener Vaibhav Sooryavanshi makes his World Cup debut in this match. His explosive batting adds firepower to India's lineup. The young cricketer represents one of several promising talents in the squad.
India's full squad includes:
- Ayush Mhatre (Captain)
- R.S. Ambrish
- Kanishk Chouhan
- D. Deepesh
- Mohamed Enaan
- Aaron George
- Abhigyan Kundu
- Kishan Kumar Singh
- Vihaan Malhotra
- Udhav Mohan
- Henil Patel
- Khilan A. Patel
- Harvansh Singh
- Vaibhav Sooryavanshi
- Vedant Trivedi
USA Team Composition and Tournament Context
The United States Under-19 team presents an interesting challenge for India. Captain Utkarsh Srivastava leads the American side into this tournament opener. Both teams aim to start their campaign with a positive result.
USA's squad features:
- Utkarsh Srivastava (Captain)
- Adnit Jhamb
- Shiv Shani
- Nitish Sudini
- Advaith Krishna
- Sahir Bhatia
- Arjun Mahesh
- Amrinder Gill
- Sabrish Prasad
- Adit Kappa
- Sahil Garg
- Amogh Reddy Arepally
- Ritvik Appidi
- Rayaan Taj
- Rishabh Shimpi
Tournament Structure and India's Group
India competes in Group B alongside Bangladesh and New Zealand. The top teams from each group advance to the Super Six stage. Every match carries significance for qualification prospects.
This opening fixture provides India with an opportunity to establish early dominance. A strong start could set the tone for their entire tournament campaign. Cricket enthusiasts eagerly await this clash between emerging talents from two cricketing nations.
