Published: Jan 16, 2026, 02:38 PM (IST)
Edited: Jan 16, 2026, 02:39 PM (IST)
Henil Patel U19 World Cup 2026: Pacer Henil Patel, who starred in India’s six-wicket victory over the USA in the Under-19 World Cup with an impressive five-wicket haul, says he draws inspiration from South African fast-bowling great Dale Steyn and his aggression on the pitch.
The 18-year-old showcased his class by ripping through the American batting line-up, returning figures of 5/16 to help the five-time champions register a commanding win on Thursday and make a perfect start to their campaign.
It was the third-best bowling performance by an Indian at any edition of the men’s Under-19 World Cup, bettered only by Kamal Passi’s 6/23 against Zimbabwe in 2012 and Anukul Roy’s 5/14 against Papua New Guinea in 2018.
“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.”
Three of Patel’s five wickets came during a fiery new-ball spell at Queens Sports Club, reducing the USA to 34/4. The young pacer revealed that attacking the stumps early was key to his success.
“I have a mindset to get the batter out within three to four deliveries. It’s all about taking early wickets. I go with the same mindset and stay calm,” he said.
“I go into training with a proper mindset, get my body ready, and it’s the same in a match,” he concluded.
Henil Patel was born on February 28, 2007, in the Valsad district of Gujarat. Introduced to cricket by his father at a young age, Henil impressed in local tournaments before earning selection for the Gujarat Under-19 side.
So far, he has featured in three Youth Test matches and 12 Youth One-Day Internationals, picking up a total of 28 wickets. Last month, he also represented India in the Under-19 Asia Cup, where he claimed five wickets in four matches.
( With PTI Inputs )
