Bulawayo: R.S. Ambrish’s four wickets, followed by captain Ayush Madre’s half-century, led India to a seven-wicket victory over New Zealand in the final group-stage match of the ICC Men’s Under-19 World Cup 2026 at Queen’s Sports Club on Saturday.
India skipper Madre’s decision to field first paid off as his team’s bowling unit bowled New Zealand out for 135 runs in 36.2 overs.
Bowling All-rounder Callum Samson remained New Zealand’s top scorer with an unbeaten 37 off 48 balls, followed by Selvin Sanjay and Jacob Cotter with 28 and 23 respectively.
Ambrish was an excellent bowler for India conceding only 29 runs in his 8 overs and taking 4 wickets. He was supported by Henil Patel with three wickets, while Kilan Patel, Mohammed Enan and Kanishk Sohan were impressive with a scalp each.
For his brilliant bowling, Ambrish was adjudged man of the match.
Chasing the target of 134 runs, the Indian team was left with 141 balls for the loss of 3 wickets, and captain Madre scored a stunning half-century.
After the early dismissal of opener Aaron George (seven), with the scoreboard reading 11/1 in 1.4 overs, Madre walked out to bat at No.3 and put on a platform-setting partnership for the second wicket with Vaibhav Suriyavanshi.
The duo put on 76 runs for the second wicket, Suryavanshi falling to Jaskaran Sandhu in the ninth over and getting out again with 40 off 23 balls with 3 fours and 2 sixes.
Madre followed suit in the next over with a 27-ball 53 with 6 sixes and 2 fours to return to the top score.
Following back-to-back dismissals, middle-order batsmen Vihan Malhotra (17 not out) and Vedant Trivedi (13 not out) led India in a blistering 29-run partnership.
Mason Clarke, Selvin Sanjay and Sandhu took one wicket each for New Zealand side.