India Bowl Out New Zealand for 135 in Rain-Affected U19 World Cup Clash at Bulawayo

India successfully bundled out New Zealand for just 135 runs in a rain-curtailed ICC Under-19 World Cup encounter at Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo. The match, reduced to 47 overs per side due to weather delays, saw New Zealand collapse dramatically after being put into bat first, marking their third consecutive rain-interrupted game in the tournament.

The final group stage encounter between India and New Zealand at the Queens Sports Club grounds in Bulawayo began under challenging circumstances. Persistent rain at Bulawayo had left the ground soggy, delaying the start of play due to a wet outfield that required extensive drying efforts from ground staff.

After winning the toss, India captain opted to bowl first, hoping to exploit potentially favorable conditions for pace bowling on a surface that had been under covers. The decision reflected confidence in India's bowling attack and their ability to restrict New Zealand before chasing whatever target was set.

Due to the delayed start, match officials reduced the contest to 47 overs per side rather than the standard 50-over format. The adjusted bowling regulations allowed two bowlers to bowl a maximum of 10 overs while three bowlers could bowl nine overs each, requiring tactical planning from captains regarding bowling rotation.

For New Zealand, this represented their third consecutive group stage match affected by rain. Their previous two encounters had been completely washed out without results, making this game crucial for their tournament progression and knockout qualification hopes. The weather interruptions had severely disrupted New Zealand's rhythm and match preparation.

India entered seeking their third consecutive victory to secure top position in Group B. The team had displayed excellent form throughout the tournament, with key players delivering match-winning performances consistently. This match offered an opportunity to cement their dominance and secure favorable knockout stage matchups.

New Zealand's innings began disastrously as they slumped to a precarious 17 for 3 wickets after just 7.1 overs. India's new-ball bowlers exploited conditions brilliantly, extracting movement and bounce that troubled New Zealand's top-order batters from the outset.

The early collapse placed immense pressure on New Zealand's middle order, requiring rebuilding efforts while simultaneously maintaining scoring rates necessary for posting competitive totals. However, the young Kiwis struggled to counter India's disciplined bowling attack and intelligent field placements.

Just as New Zealand opener Aryan Mann was departing after losing his wicket, rain interrupted play once again—continuing the pattern of weather disruptions that had plagued New Zealand throughout the tournament. This interruption added further complications to an already struggling innings.

When play eventually resumed, New Zealand couldn't recover momentum. India's bowlers maintained relentless pressure, taking wickets regularly and preventing partnership development. The inability to construct substantial stands meant New Zealand never established the platform necessary for competitive totals.

New Zealand was eventually bundled out for just 135 runs—a total well below par even considering the reduced-overs format. The collapse reflected India's bowling excellence combined with New Zealand's batting struggles under pressure and challenging conditions.

Weather remained a persistent factor throughout the match. Beyond the initial delayed start due to wet outfield conditions, rain interrupted play during New Zealand's innings when they were reeling at 17/3. These stoppages disrupted rhythm for both teams while creating additional uncertainty regarding match completion.

The soggy conditions at Queens Sports Club grounds, resulting from extensive rainfall at Bulawayo, had been problematic throughout the tournament. Ground staff worked tirelessly to prepare playable surfaces, but weather remained unpredictable and challenging for organizing consistent cricket.

For New Zealand particularly, the rain interruptions proved deeply frustrating. Having already suffered two complete washouts in previous group matches, this third consecutive rain-affected game severely hampered their tournament experience and preparation consistency.

India's bowling unit delivered an exceptional performance, exploiting conditions intelligently and executing plans with precision. The new-ball bowlers struck early, reducing New Zealand to 17/3 and creating pressure that persisted throughout the innings.

Henil Patel, who had performed excellently in India's previous two matches, likely continued his impressive form. His ability to take crucial wickets and control run flow during middle overs has been instrumental in India's tournament success thus far.

The bowling attack worked cohesively, with seamers and spinners complementing each other perfectly. Fielding support remained exceptional, with sharp catches and athletic ground fielding preventing boundaries and creating constant pressure that resulted in regular wickets.

India's comprehensive bowling performance positions them strongly for securing top spot in Group B with their third consecutive victory. The team's consistency across batting, bowling, and fielding departments makes them genuine championship contenders.

Key players like Abhigyan Kundu, who has been in excellent form throughout the tournament, provide India with reliable performers. Vaibhav Suryavanshi's crucial contribution against Bangladesh demonstrated his ability to deliver under pressure when required.

For New Zealand, this low total creates significant challenges. Their tournament progression now depends on other results and net run rate calculations, making their knockout qualification uncertain following three rain-affected matches.

India bowled out New Zealand for just 135 runs in a rain-curtailed 47-overs-per-side ICC Under-19 World Cup match at Bulawayo on January 23, 2026. After winning the toss and bowling first, India reduced New Zealand to 17/3 before rain interrupted play. New Zealand never recovered, being bundled out cheaply in their third consecutive rain-affected match, while India positioned themselves for Group B top spot.