India U-19 Captain Ayush Mhatre Stuns Pakistan, Books Semi-Final Spot

BULAWAYO, Zimbabwe — The Queens Sports Club witnessed a captain’s masterclass on Sunday. But it wasn’t with the bat. India U-19 skipper Ayush Mhatre, renowned for his stylish opening batting, tore through the Pakistan middle order with his off-spin to seal a massive 58-run victory in the Super Six stage of the Under-19 World Cup 2026.

Defending a competitive 252, India seemed to be losing their grip as Pakistan cruised to 151/2. Then came the collapse. Mhatre introduced himself into the attack and triggered a panic, finishing with match-winning figures of 3/21. Pakistan folded for 194, handing India a ticket to the semi-finals against Afghanistan.

The “Secret Weapon”: Mhatre’s Top 4 Bowling Spells

While the world knows Mhatre the batter, his bowling has quietly become India’s trump card. Here is a breakdown of the four times the Mumbai youngster flipped a match with the ball.

1. The Pakistan Collapse (Feb 1, 2026)

Match: U-19 World Cup Super Six, Bulawayo

Figures: 3/21 (8 overs)

The stakes couldn’t have been higher. After Vedant Trivedi’s gritty 68 dragged India to 252, Pakistan’s top order looked comfortable. They needed just 102 runs with eight wickets in hand. Mhatre brought himself on and immediately slowed the pace. He removed the set batter, strangled the run rate, and forced errors. Pakistan lost their last eight wickets for just 43 runs. Mhatre’s spell didn’t just take wickets; it broke Pakistan’s spirit.

2. Dismantling the Hosts (Jan 27, 2026)

Match: U-19 World Cup vs Zimbabwe, Bulawayo

Figures: 3/14 (4 overs)

India’s batters dominated this game, posting a mammoth 352/8 thanks to Vihaan Malhotra’s 109*. But the second innings belonged to the skipper. With Zimbabwe under pressure, Mhatre spun a web around the lower order. He claimed 3 wickets for a miserly 14 runs, ensuring the hosts were bundled out for 148. It was a clinical 204-run drubbing.

3. The VHT Breakthrough (Dec 23, 2024)

Match: Mumbai vs Hyderabad, Vijay Hazare Trophy

Figures: 3/17 (4.1 overs)

This was the precursor. Playing senior List-A cricket for Mumbai, Mhatre showed he wasn’t just a part-timer. Hyderabad had raced to 85/0 before the slide began. While Atharva Ankolekar took four wickets, Mhatre cleaned up the tail with ruthless efficiency. His 3/17 remains his best List-A return. He later scored 28 as an opener to seal the chase.

4. Stifling the Aussies (Sep 2025)

Match: Youth ODI Series, Brisbane

Figures: 3/27 (4 overs)

Winning in Australia requires adapting to bounce, but Mhatre used guile. After failing with the bat (a rare duck), he redeemed himself at the Ian Healy Oval. Defending 300, India faced a counter-attack from Jayden Draper (107). Mhatre stepped up when the pacers leaked runs, breaking key partnerships and finishing with 3/27. India won by 51 runs, and the skipper proved he could impact a game even when his bat stayed silent.

“Everyone talks about my cover drive, but I’ve been working on my off-spin with my coaches back in Mumbai for two years. When I saw the ball gripping in Bulawayo, I knew I had to bowl. We don’t rely on just one or two guys; that’s the beauty of this team.” — Ayush Mhatre, India U-19 Captain

Road to the Final

The job isn’t done. India now travels to the Harare Sports Club for a high-voltage semi-final against Afghanistan on Wednesday, February 4. Afghanistan’s spin attack is world-class, but India has momentum—and a captain who can hurt them in two different ways.