Mumbai: Five-time champions India will aim to create history when they take on England in the ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup final at Harare on Friday, with the goal of lifting the coveted trophy for a record sixth time. Led by explosive skipper Ayush Mhatre, the Indian Under-19 side enters the final high on confidence and momentum, having displayed remarkable depth and resilience throughout the tournament.
India’s biggest strength in the current edition has been its collective performance. Whenever the team found itself under pressure, a different hero emerged to steer it to safety. This ability to avoid over-dependence on a single player has made India a formidable unit. In contrast, England, captained by wicketkeeper-batter Thomas Rew, have won the Under-19 World Cup only once, back in 1998, when they defeated New Zealand in the final.
Interestingly, both India and England have been unbeaten in the Super Six stage, winning all their matches, including their respective semi-finals. India also enjoy a psychological edge, having beaten England 3-2 in a five-match Under-19 Youth ODI series in England during June–July 2025. That series saw centuries from Vaibhav Suryavanshi and vice-captain Vihan Malhotra for India, while Rew led England’s charge with a hundred of his own.
India’s batting lineup looks particularly strong. Fourteen-year-old opener Vaibhav Suryavanshi has been sensational, scoring 264 runs in six matches, including three half-centuries. Vice-captain Vihan Malhotra (209 runs), Abhigyan Kundu (199), skipper Ayush Mhatre (161), and Aaron George (161) have also made vital contributions. In the semi-final, India chased down a daunting target of 310 runs, scoring 313 for three in just 41.1 overs to register a commanding seven-wicket win.
England, meanwhile, boast a powerful batting unit led by Ben Mayes, who has scored 399 runs in the tournament, including a stunning 191 against Scotland in a record 404-run total. Captain Thomas Rew has amassed 299 runs with a century and two half-centuries, while Caleb Matthew Faulkner and Joseph Moores add solidity to the middle order.
For India, the key to victory will lie in dismissing England’s top order cheaply. Bowlers Henil Patel (11 wickets), R.S. Ambarish and left-arm spinner Khilan Patel (eight wickets each) will shoulder the responsibility, supported by all-rounders Kanishk Chauhan and Vihan Malhotra.
India last won the Under-19 World Cup in 2022 under Yash Dhull and are eager to erase the disappointment of missing out on defending the title in the previous edition. As both teams gear up for a high-voltage final, fans can expect an exciting contest between two unbeaten sides, with India hoping to once again assert their dominance at the youth level of world cricket.
