India pacer inspired by Dale Steyn for U19 World Cup haul
India quick Henil Patel provides the background for his fondness of South Africa legend Dale Steyn.
India fast bowler Henil Patel has revealed the inspiration provided by South African great Dale Steyn that helped him deliver a match-winning five-for against the USA at the ICC Under-19 Men's Cricket World Cup.
Patel showed his class when he ripped through the American batting line-up to collect figures of 5/16 during India's six-wicket victory in Bulawayo on Thursday to give the five-time champions the perfect start to their U19 World Cup campaign.
Broadcast details for ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup
Henil Patel's impeccable display | POTM Highlights | U19 CWC 2026
The pacer was at his fiery best.
It was the third best figures by an Indian player at any edition of the Men's U19 World Cup - bettered only by Kamal Passi (6/23 against Zimbabwe in 2012) and Anukul Roy (5/14 against Papua New Guinea in 2018) - and bodes well for Patel for the remainder of the tournament.
Best bowling by India player at Men's U19 World Cup
| PLAYER | FIGURES |
| Kamal Passi | 6/23 v Zimbabwe, Townsville, 2012 |
| Anukul Roy | 5/14 v PNG, Mount Maunganui, 2018 |
| Henil Patel | 5/16 v USA, Bulawayo, 2026 |
| Ravikant Singh | 5/21 v PNG, Townsville, 2012 |
| Vicky Ostwal | 5/28 v South Africa, Guyana, 2022 |
Patel spoke with ICC Digital prior to the start of the U19 World Cup and the right-armer declared former South African quick Dale Steyn was his favourite player of all-time and he still attempts to draw inspiration from the fast bowling great when using the new ball.
"What I get from Dale Steyn is that I like his aggression a lot," Patel told ICC Digital.
"His bowling was so good that there was no batter who could play against him easily because he was so tough to face."
The very best of Proteas legend Dale Steyn at ICC events
Three of Patel's five victims arrived via a blistering new-ball spell at Queens Sports Club that reduced USA to just 34/4 and the quietly spoken 18-year-old revealed the key to his success when opening the bowling was attacking the stumps and looking to dismiss the opposing batter.
"I have a mindset to get the batter out within three to four deliveries," Patel declared.
"I go into training with a proper mindset, I get my body ready and it's the same in a match.
"It's all about taking early wickets, I go with the same mindset and I stay calm."
Henil's five-for helps India secure win | Match Highlights | U19 CWC 2026
India were off to a confident start against USA at the ICC U19 Men's Cricket World Cup 2026.
With a victory under their belt India now turn their attention to their next clash at the U19 World Cup where they will take on Asian rival Bangladesh at the same Bulawayo venue on Saturday.
It looms as a crucial contest for India as they attempt to take maximum points across to the Super Six phase of the event and skipper Ayush Mhatre is looking for an improved performance from his batting group as they lost four wickets against the USA in pursuit of 108 for victory.
"We stretched out this innings for too long and lost four wickets," Mhatre said post-match.
"We could have done this (run chase) without loss or one wicket down."