The ICC Men's Under-19 Cricket World Cup 2026 officially began on Thursday, January 15, 2026, in Zimbabwe and Namibia, with India's highly anticipated campaign kicking off against the United States of America. Ayush Mhatre, leading the Indian squad, won the toss in Bulawayo and opted to bowl first, taking advantage of the overcast conditions. This opening Group A fixture at the Queens Sports Club saw promising pacer Henil Patel make an early impact by sparking the first wicket, putting India in a strong position from the outset. India, the most successful team in U19 World Cup history with five titles, enters the tournament as strong contenders for a record-extending sixth championship. The team is placed in Group B alongside Bangladesh, New Zealand, and the USA. Beyond captain Mhatre, the squad features exciting talents like Vaibhav Suryavanshi, who is under the spotlight after strong performances in recent youth tournaments. The tournament is scheduled to conclude on February 6, and all matches are being broadcast live on the Star Sports Network and streamed on JioCinema/JioHotstar in India, providing comprehensive coverage for fans. This initial match against the USA is crucial for India to set a dominant tone for their World Cup aspirations.