Chamuditha makes history while Malhotra stars in India win
Media release
Viran Chamuditha recorded the highest individual score in the history of the ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup to power Sri Lanka past Japan in Windhoek.
Chamuditha made 192, surpassing the previous record of 191 set by his compatriot Hasitha Boyagoda in 2018, and was one of two centurions for his side as they won their opening match of the 2026 tournament by 203 runs despite a brilliant unbeaten 101 from Hugo Tani-Kelly.
The day’s other match saw India win a thriller against Bangladesh by 18 runs (DLS), fighting back after a rain delay with Vihaan Malhotra starring.
India win close contest against Bangladesh
Vihaan Malhotra claimed four for 14 as India defeated Bangladesh in a nail-biting contest in Bulawayo.
India batted first and were quickly reduced to 12 for two, Al Fahad accounting for Ayush Mhatre and Vedant Trivedi with successive deliveries, but Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and Abhigyan Kundu repaired the damage.
Sooryavanshi struck six fours and three sixes in his 72 from 67 balls while wicketkeeper Kundu was more watchful, making 80 from 112 before he was the ninth man out with the score on 224.
Fahad, who removed Kundu, completed his five-wicket haul by dismissing Deepesh Devendran as India were bowled out for 238.
Zawad Abrar fell early in the reply but Bangladesh were progressing nicely on 90 for two in the 18th over when rain brought a lengthy delay.
The target was adjusted to 165 from 29 overs and Malhotra’s fine spell turned the tide in India’s direction, as did the departure of captain Azizul Hakim Tamim to Khilan Patel for 51.
Malhotra’s third wicket came thanks to a fine catch at long-off from Sooryavanshi, who stayed just inside the rope, threw the ball in the air and claimed it on his return to the field to remove Samin Basir Ratul.
Malhotra then held a superb diving catch of his own in the deep to seal India’s second successive victory, Bangladesh losing their final seven wickets for just 22.
Sri Lanka batters in fine form against Japan
Japan elected to bowl upon winning the toss in Windhoek but were soon left to regret the decision as Viran Chamuditha and Dimantha Mahavithana made hay.
Chamuditha dominated the opening stand, reaching a 75-ball century in the 23rd over while his partner was still on 39, but Mahavithana followed him into three figures later in the innings as the pair wrote their names into the record books.
The 300 stand came up in a 40th over which cost 19 and subsequently brought them to the highest partnership in ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup history, going past England’s Dan Lawrence and Jack Burnham, who put on 303 against Fiji in 2016.
It took a run out to prise the pair apart, Mahavithana falling for 115, while Chamuditha fell two balls later eight shy of what would have been the competition’s first-ever double century. His 192 came from 143 balls, with 26 fours and a six.
There was still time for captain Vimath Dinsara to add an unbeaten 44 from 24 as Sri Lanka racked up 387 for four from their 50 overs, Timothy Moore finishing with three for 43.
Japan lost Nikhil Pol to the second ball of their reply but the incoming Tani-Kelly steadied the ship alongside Nihar Parma (23).
Tani-Kelly lost partners at regular intervals but dug deep to make Japan’s first century in this competition’s history, reaching the landmark from the penultimate ball of the innings and finishing on 101 from 162 balls, with six fours and a six.
The wickets were shared around the Sri Lankan attack and Chamuditha completed an excellent individual day with one for 17 from nine economical overs.
Scores in brief
India v Bangladesh - Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo
India 238 all out in 48.4 overs (Abhigyan Kundu 80, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi 72; Al Fahad 5/38, Azizul Hakim Tamim 2/42)
Bangladesh 146 all out in 28.3 overs (Azizul Hakim Tamim 51, Rifat Beg 37; Vihaan Malhotra 4/14, Khilan Patel 2/35)
Result: India won by 18 runs (DLS method)
Sri Lanka v Japan - Namibia Cricket Ground, Windhoek
Sri Lanka 387/4 in 50 overs (Viran Chamuditha 192, Dimantha Mahavithana 115; Timothy Moore 3/43)
Japan 184/8 in 50 overs (Hugo Tani-Kelly 101 not out, Nihar Parma 23; Sethmika Seneviratne 1/9, Chamika Heentigala 1/16)
Result: Sri Lanka won by 203 runs