Bulawayo, 13 January (H.S.): England defeated India by 20 runs in the final warm-up match ahead of the Under-19 World Cup 2026, played on Monday at Bulawayo Athletic Club and settled via Duckworth-Lewis-Stern (DLS) method due to rain. Captain Thomas Rew anchored England's innings with an unbeaten 71 off 66 balls, featuring six fours and three sixes.

England chased a revised target but lost opener Ben Dawkins early in the second over to Henil Patel. Joseph Moore (46) and Ben Mayes (34) steadied with a 77-run second-wicket stand before left-arm spinner Khilan Patel dismissed both, reducing England to 104/3 in the 19th over. Rew then took charge alongside Caleb Faulkner (29 off 43), propelling England to 196/3 in 34.3 overs when rain intervened. The par score of 177 confirmed England's victory.

India, electing to bat first after winning the toss, started briskly through Ayush Mhatre's 49 off 40 balls, but the top order crumbled. Vaibhav Suryavanshi managed just 1, while Vihan Malhotra (10) and Vedant Trivedi (14) offered little support, leaving India at 79/4. Wicketkeeper-batter Abhijaan Kundu (82) rescued the innings with a crucial 97-run fifth-wicket partnership alongside R.S. Ambarish (48). Kanishk Chauhan's unbeaten 45 off 36 balls lifted India to 295/8 in 50 overs. James Minto claimed 5/34 for England.

India begins its World Cup campaign on January 15 against the USA at Queen's Sports Club, Bulawayo. England faces Pakistan on January 16 in Harare.Score Summary

India U19: 295/8 (50 overs) – Ayush Mhatre 49, Abhijaan Kundu 82, R.S. Ambarish 48, Kanishk Chauhan 45*; James Minto 5/34

England U19: 196/3 (34.3 overs) – Joseph Moore 46, Ben Mayes 34, Thomas Rew 71*Result: England won by 20 runs (DLS method).

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar