The second semi-final of the Under-19 Cricket World Cup is being played between India and Afghanistan. Afghanistan has reached the semi-finals for the first time, while Team India has won the title 5 times. Of course, the Indian Under-19 team looks strong in the records, but the team’s morale is high after the big win of 191 runs in the last match. Afghanistan won the toss and decided to bat first.

Indian playing 11: Aaron George, Vaibhav Suryavanshi, Ayush Mhatre (captain), Vedant Trivedi, Vihaan Malhotra, Abhigayan Kundu (wicketkeeper), RS Ambrish, Kanishk Chauhan, Khilan Patel, Deepesh Devendran, Henil Patel.

Afghanistan’s playing 11: Osman Sadat, Khalid Ahmedzai, Faisal Khan, Mehboob Taskin (captain and wicketkeeper), Azizullah Miyan Khil, Uzairullah Niazai, Abdul Aziz Khan, Ruhullah Arb, Nurustani Omarzai, Waheedullah Zadran, Akil Khan.

Will keep an eye on these Indian players

Everyone’s eyes will be on Vaibhav Suryavanshi, because if he lasts even 10 to 15 overs, he can score a big score. Vaibhav’s strength is that he does not hesitate to hit a big shot from the first ball, although sometimes this becomes his weakness. Vaibhav has scored 196 runs in 5 matches, his best score is 72.

The highest run scorer for India so far in the Under-19 World Cup 2026 is Abhigyan Abhishek Kundu, who has scored 199 runs in 4 innings. Captain Ayush Mhatre could not make an impact in any other match except against New Zealand (53), he has scored a total of 99 runs in 5 matches.

In bowling, good performance will be expected from Henil Patel and Khilan Patel today, Henil has taken 11 wickets in 5 matches. Khilan Patel has taken 8 wickets in 5 matches. In the last match, he took 3 wickets against Pakistan.

These players of Afghanistan will be kept an eye on

Faisal Khan, who is batting at number three for Afghanistan, is in excellent form, he had scored an inning of 163 runs against Ireland in the last match. Of course, there are batsmen like Ayush Mhatre, Vaibhav Suryavanshi in the Indian team, but Faisal is ahead of them in the top run scorer of this edition, who has scored 325 runs in 5 innings. He is the second highest run scoring batsman.

Eyes will also be on Nuristani Omarzai, who has been bowling well so far. He has taken 12 wickets in 5 matches. It remains to be seen whether he can maintain that rhythm against a strong team like India or not.

The second semi-final of the Under-19 Cricket World Cup 2026 is between India and Afghanistan today. The winning team will face England for the title on February 6, which had earlier defeated Australia by 27 runs in the semi-final. Know India’s probable playing eleven.

Afghanistan had made it to the semi-finals along with Australia from Group 1, finishing second in the points table. From Group 2, England and India made it to the semi-finals of the Under-19 World Cup. England has reached the final by defeating Australia, while the other finalist will be the winning team of India vs Afghanistan match today.

5 time champion India is strong

Compared to Afghanistan, the Indian Under-19 team looks strong, which has batsmen like Ayush Mhatre, Vaibhav Suryavanshi, Aaron George and excellent bowlers like Henil and Khilan Patel. Khilan Patel took 3 wickets for 35 runs against Pakistan, he also scored 21 runs. Henil Patel had taken 3 wickets for 23 runs in the important match played against New Zealand, who today has the power to destroy Afghanistan’s batting.

Vaibhav Suryavanshi is an explosive batsman, who hits big shots from the first ball. In the Under-19 World Cup, he scored 72 runs against Bangladesh, 40 against New Zealand and 50 against Zimbabwe. He scores runs at a very fast pace and even if 10 or 15 overs last, he can make the opposition bowlers sweat. Captain Ayush Mhatre played an important inning of 53 runs against New Zealand, but was out for zero in the last match. A big innings will be expected from him today.

Afghanistan in semi-finals for the first time

Afghanistan cricket team has reached the semi-finals for the first time in the Under-19 Cricket World Cup. Afghanistan had registered a big win against Ireland by 191 runs in the last match, Faisal Khan had played a brilliant inning of 163 runs. Abdul Aziz Khan and Akil Khan took 3-3 wickets.

India’s probable playing 11

Aaron George, Vaibhav Suryavanshi, Ayush Mhatre (captain), Vedant Trivedi, Vihaan Malhotra, Abhigayan Kundu (wicketkeeper), RS Ambrish, Kanishk Chauhan, Khilan Patel, Deepesh Devendran, Henil Patel.

When and where to watch India vs Afghanistan Under-19 match?

India vs Afghanistan semi-final match in Under-19 Cricket World Cup will start today (4 February) at 1 pm. The match will be telecast live on Star Sports Network and live streaming will be on JioHotstar app and website.