NEW DELHI: Henil Patel produced a ferocious spell with the ball to lay the foundation for India's six-wicket win over the USA in their rain-affected ICC Under-19 World Cup opener in Bulawayo on Thursday.

Bowling first under gloomy skies, the right-arm seamer tore through the USA batting line-up to finish with superb figures of 5 for 16 from seven overs, including a maiden. His incisive spell left the USA reeling, as they were dismissed for just 107 in 35.2 overs.

Rain played its part during India's reply, forcing a revision of the target to 96 runs in 37 overs when the innings was halted at 21 for 1 after four overs.

Once play resumed, wicketkeeper-batter Abhigyan Kundu held his nerve, guiding India to victory with an unbeaten 42 off 41 balls as the chase was wrapped up comfortably with 118 deliveries to spare under the DLS method.

India's pursuit had a stuttering start following the rain delay, with 14-year-old prodigy Vaibhav Suryavanshi departing early. He was bowled by Ritvik Appidi, who finished with figures of 2 for 24 from five overs, after being cramped for room by a good-length delivery and dragging the ball back onto his stumps.

Captain Ayush Mhatre showed early intent, striking a couple of boundaries to steady the innings, but just as India began to settle, rain intervened once again to disrupt proceedings.

At that stage of the game, India required just 87 runs in 46 overs, but the equation was changed as per the DLS method when play resumed after a long interruption.

Meet Henil Patel: The teen sensation who ripped apart USA at U-19 World Cup

Upon resumption, India lost the wickets of Mhatre (19) and Vedant Trivedi (2) in quick succession, and then, vice-captain Vihaan Malhotra was dismissed for 18.

Earlier, Henil struck in his very first over, inducing an edge from Amrinder Gill (1) to Malhotra in the slips, before the tall tearaway pacer Deepesh Devendran joined in by having Sahil Garg (16) caught by Henil at third man to reduce USA to 29/2 in nine overs.

Henil then took control of the innings with a devastating double blow, removing captain Utkarsh Srivastava for a five-ball duck before dismissing wicketkeeper Arjun Mahesh (16) in the same over as the USA slipped to 35/4.

He returned again soon, drawing a loose drive from Mahesh that flew to third man for his third wicket, and USA never recovered from the collapse.

Leg-spinner Khilan Patel struck immediately on his introduction, trapping Amogh Arepally (3) as the USA slid to 39/5 in the 16th over.

Nitish Sudini offered some resistance with a counter-attacking 36 off 52 balls, striking four boundaries and adding 30 runs with Adnit Jhamb (18) for the sixth wicket to take USA past 50.

However, Henil returned to mop up the tail, dismissing Sabrish Prasad (7) and Rishabh Shimpi (0) to complete his five-for as the USA were bundled out in 35.2 overs.

India are in Group B alongside Bangladesh and New Zealand.

Brief Scores:

USA 107 in 35.2 overs (Nitish Sudini 36; Henil Patel 5/16) vs India.

India: 99/4 in 17.2 overs (Abhigyan Kundu 42 not out; Ritvik Appidi 2/24).

(With PTI Inputs)