NEW DELHI: Off-spinner Vihaan Malhotra delivered a sensational spell of 4 for 14 to spark a stunning Bangladesh batting collapse as India sealed an 18-run win via the DLS method in a rain-hit Under-19 World Cup clash on Saturday. Bangladesh, who had earlier bowled out India for 238 in a reduced 49-over match, looked firmly in command of the chase before losing eight wickets for just 40 runs to surrender the game from a winning position. It was India’s second straight victory in the tournament. Bangladesh were dismissed for 146 in 28.3 overs, falling well short of the revised target of 165 from 29 overs. 🚨 INDIA DEFEATED BANGLADESH IN U-19 WORLD CUP 🚨- What a comeback victory, led by Captain Ayush Mhatre. 💛 pic.twitter.com/a0SqVRc2Li — Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) January 17, 2026 Players from both teams were seen exchanging handshakes and pleasantries on the field after the match, after both captains skipped the customary greeting at the toss. India now sit on top of Group B with four points from two matches, while Bangladesh and USA are yet to open their accounts. New Zealand are still to begin their campaign in the group. Bangladesh cruising before sudden collapse Chasing a revised target of 165 after a second rain delay lasting over an hour and a half, Bangladesh were cruising at 102 for 2 after 20 overs and comfortably ahead of the DLS par score of 88. What followed was a dramatic collapse, triggered by Malhotra’s disciplined off-spin and backed by timely breakthroughs from the other bowlers. Malhotra, who had struggled earlier with the bat while scoring 7 off 24 balls, extracted sharp turn and bounce to rip through the middle order. He removed Kalam Siddiki (15), Sheikh Parvez Jibon (7), Rizan Hossan (15) and Samiun Basir (2) in a match-turning spell that swung momentum decisively India’s way. Bangladesh lost five wickets in just 33 balls as panic crept into the chase. Key wickets seal the contest Left-arm spinner Khilan Patel dealt the decisive blow by dismissing Bangladesh skipper Azizul Hakim, who top-scored with a patient 51 off 72 balls, including four fours and a six. Hakim, fully aware of the DLS equation, had paced his innings carefully but misjudged a waist-high full toss from Khilan, attempting to clear long-on only to find a fielder in the deep, effectively ending Bangladesh’s resistance. Henil Patel then wrapped up the innings by removing Iqbal Hossain Emon as Bangladesh were bowled out for 146 in 28.3 overs, sealing India’s victory. Earlier, Bangladesh had started their chase on a positive note despite losing Zawad Abrar in the opening over to Deepesh Devendran. A steady fifty-plus stand between Rifat Beg and Hakim put Bangladesh firmly on course. Beg played aggressively for his 37 off 37 balls, hitting four fours and a six, including a confident loft over deep square leg off off-spinner Kanishk Chouhan. With Hakim anchoring the innings and the run-rate under control, Bangladesh looked well placed until Malhotra’s intervention changed the complexion of the match. India’s recovery sets up the win The collapse overshadowed an impressive bowling performance earlier from Bangladesh pacer Al Fahad, whose five-wicket haul laid the foundation for the contest. India’s innings was built around fighting half-centuries from Abhigyan Kundu and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi after Bangladesh opted to field under overcast conditions. Vaibhav, usually known for his attacking approach, played a restrained knock of 72 off 67 balls, striking six fours and three sixes after India lost two wickets in two deliveries early on. Kundu then played a measured innings of 80 off 112 balls, hitting four fours and three sixes, and capitalised on two reprieves to guide India past the 200-run mark. The pair added 62 runs off 101 balls to stabilise the innings after the early collapse. Fahad had earlier rocked India by dismissing skipper Ayush Mhatre and Vedant Trivedi in quick succession, while Azizul Hakim supported well with figures of 2 for 42, including the wicket of Kanishk Chouhan, who made a brisk 28 during a 54-run stand with Kundu. India were eventually bowled out for 238 in 48.4 overs after a one-hour rain interruption reduced the match to 49 overs per side. (With PTI Inputs)