Harare: India’s Under-19 cricket team etched its name deeper into history by winning the ICC Under-19 World Cup for the sixth time, defeating England in a one-sided final in Harare. Led by captain Ayush Mhatre, the Indian side remained unbeaten throughout the tournament, underlining its dominance from the group stage to the title clash.
England Crushed by 100 Runs in Final
In the final, India posted a massive total of 411 runs, setting England a daunting target of 412. Despite a fighting century from England’s Caleb Falkner, who scored 115 off 67 balls, the English team was bowled out for 311 in 40.2 overs, handing India a comprehensive 100-run victory.
Vaibhav Suryavanshi emerged as the star of the final, smashing a breathtaking 175 runs off just 80 deliveries. Alongside him, Ayush Mhatre and Abhigyan Kundu were among India’s most consistent performers across the tournament.
Unbeaten March to the Title
India’s campaign was flawless. They began by defeating the USA by six wickets, followed by an 18-run win over Bangladesh. In the final group match, India beat New Zealand by seven wickets via the DLS method. In the Super Six stage, India dominated hosts Zimbabwe with a 204-run victory, before eliminating arch-rivals Pakistan by 58 runs. A seven-wicket win over Afghanistan in the semi-final sealed India’s place in the final.
Record-Breaking Consistency
India now hold the record for the most appearances in Under-19 World Cup finals, reaching the title match 10 times in 16 editions. Remarkably, this was India’s sixth consecutive final appearance, having reached the finals in 2016, 2018, 2020, 2022, 2024 and 2026. Australia, in comparison, have reached the final six times and won the title four times.
Biggest Run Chase in Tournament History
India also created history earlier in the tournament by registering the highest successful run chase in Under-19 World Cup history. Chasing 311 against Afghanistan in the semi-final, India reached the target in 41.1 overs, powered by a century from Aaron George and half-centuries from Vaibhav Suryavanshi and Ayush Mhatre. The feat broke New Zealand’s 20-year-old record of chasing 305 runs in 2006.
With this triumph, India once again reaffirmed its unmatched supremacy in Under-19 cricket on the global stage.
