India vs New Zealand Under 19 World Cup 2026: Complete Match Guide
The cricketing spotlight shifts to the younger generation as India's Under-19 team prepares to face New Zealand in a crucial encounter of the ICC Under-19 World Cup 2026. While the senior teams are engaged in a separate T20 series, this youth tournament in Zimbabwe presents a high-stakes scenario, particularly for the Kiwi side, who face potential elimination with a loss.
Match Schedule and Venue Details
The IND U19 vs NZ U19 World Cup 2026 match is scheduled for Saturday, January 24, 2026. The action will unfold at the historic Queen Sports Club in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe. Cricket enthusiasts can mark their calendars for a 1:00 PM IST start, with the all-important toss taking place half an hour earlier at 12:30 PM IST.
Broadcast and Streaming Information
For fans in India eager to catch every moment of this youth cricket spectacle, the match will be telecast live on the Star Sports Network. Additionally, digital viewers can access the live stream through the JioHotstar application, ensuring comprehensive coverage across television and mobile platforms.
Team Dynamics and Player Focus
All eyes will be on Indian captain Ayush Mhatre, who seeks to regain his batting form ahead of the critical Super 6 stages. The skipper has experienced a challenging tournament thus far, scoring 19 runs against the USA and just 6 runs versus Bangladesh. His recent form extends to the U-19 Asia Cup, where he managed 65 runs across five matches, adding pressure to perform in this must-watch encounter.
The New Zealand team enters this match with minimal room for error, as a defeat could potentially end their World Cup campaign, making this clash particularly intense and significant for both sides.
Squad Compositions
India U19 Squad:
- 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
New Zealand U19 Squad:
- 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
- Luke Harrison
This match represents more than just another group stage encounter; it's a pivotal moment for emerging cricketing talent from both nations. With tournament progression at stake for New Zealand and form-building crucial for India's captain, the Queen Sports Club is set to witness a compelling chapter in youth cricket history.
