![Ayush Mhatre warns Pakistan [Source: @ImTanujSingh, @ICC/x]](https://onecricketnews.akamaized.net/parth-editor/oc-dashboard/news-images-prod/1769579882260_IndiawarnsPakistan.jpg?type=hq)
Ayush Mhatre warns Pakistan [Source: @ImTanujSingh, @ICC/x]
India U19 team walloped Zimbabwe by 204 runs to maintain their unbeaten run in the ongoing ICC Men’s Under-19 World Cup 2026. Vihaan Malhotra delivered the ‘Player of the Match’ winning performance in the game by cracking 109 runs off 107 balls with seven elegant boundaries at the Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo.
Indian captain Ayush Mhatre has now heaped a significant praise on in-form Malhotra, and even fired a warning shot ahead of India’s upcoming Super Sixes clash against arch-rivals Pakistan.
Ayush Mhatre praises Malhotra, cites team effort for unbeaten run
While speaking with the reporters after India’s thumping win over Zimbabwe, captain Ayush Mhatre praised Vihaan Malhotra for his match-winning century. The cricketer also added that Vihaan Malhotra was in splendid touch with the bat even in the lead-up to the tournament.
Ayush Mhatre said, “Vihaan Malhotra really doing well. He was doing really well (before the World Cup), he is really confident, and we are also really confident that he's batting really well and that he is doing good work for the team.”
The India Under-19 skipper further credited the collective team effort as the ‘Boys in Blue’ make it four wins in four matches this U19 World Cup. He added, “This match was really nice for us, the boys were really doing well, and we'll try to carry this momentum forward.”
Ayush Mhatre “not really worried” about Pakistan
Ayush Mhatre also fired a subtle warning shot towards the Pakistan players ahead of India’s upcoming final Super Sixes fixture of the 2026 ICC Under-19 World Cup.
Mhatre stated that while his players are really excited for the match, he is “not really worried” about India’s opponents. He said, “The boys are really excited for the match, we'll just play our game, not really worry about our opponents that we are playing against, (we'll) just play our game and back our game.”
India’s unbeaten journey so far this U19 World Cup 2026
Team India, under the leadership of CSK star Ayush Mhatre, topped the Group B points table with three wins in three matches. The Indian team trounced USA, Bangladesh and New Zealand; all in Bulawayo, with emphatic margins to attain a formidable NRR of 2.976.
Ayush Mhatre and co. continued their campaign with a Super Six game against Zimbabwe on January 27. Batting first, India mounted 352-8 in 50 overs with Vihaan Malhotra scoring an unbeaten 109 from 107 balls. Captain Mhatre as well as fast bowler Udhav Mohan both picked up three wickets each later in the day to skittle Zimbabwe for just 148.
Pretty much qualified for the semifinals, Team India need to ensure that they also defeat Pakistan, or at least do not lose by a big margin. The much-awaited Super Six match between the two Asian giants will be played on Sunday, February 1 later this week. The match will be hosted by the Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo.
