India's U19 cricket team clinched their sixth ICC Under-19 World Cup title on Friday, defeating England U19 by 100 runs in a dominant display at the Harare Sports Club. This victory not only adds another trophy to India's cabinet but also underscores their supremacy in age-group cricket. Throughout the tournament, India showcased consistent all-round excellence, remaining unbeaten and topping both their group and the Super Six stage with convincing wins.
In the final against England, India's batting performance was particularly remarkable. After opting to bat first, the team posted a massive 411/9, setting the highest team total ever recorded in a U19 final. Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's sensational 175-run innings off just 80 balls was the cornerstone of this imposing score, breaking multiple U19 records along the way. His innings included 15 fours and 15 sixes, demonstrating an extraordinary strike rate of 218.75.
Sooryavanshi's explosive partnerships with captain Ayush Mhatre (53) and Abhigyan Kundu (40) further solidified India's commanding position. Contributions from Vedant Trivedi (32), Vihaan Malhotra (30), and Kanishk Chouhan (37*) showcased the team's batting depth, pushing the total beyond England's reach.
Despite Caleb Falconer's valiant 115 off 67 balls, England's chase fell short, as they were unable to overcome the daunting target of 412. India's bowlers effectively backed up their team's batting performance, restricting England to 311 and securing a comfortable victory.
India's journey to the final was marked by several impressive performances. In the Super Six stage, centuries from Saharan and Dhas led to a 215-run partnership against Nepal, India's best in U19 World Cup history. Saumy Pandey's bowling (4/29) ensured Nepal never threatened their total. Earlier in the tournament, India defeated Bangladesh by 84 runs, with Adarsh Singh (76) and Saharan (64) contributing significantly. They also recorded identical 201-run victories against Ireland and the United States.
Throughout the tournament, India's success was built on solid performances in all three departments: batting, bowling, and fielding. The top and middle-order batsmen consistently contributed, with Saharan, Musheer Khan, and Sachin Dhas being standout performers. The bowling attack, led by Raj Limbani, Naman Tiwari, and Saumy Pandey, consistently took wickets and put pressure on opponents.
With this win, Ayush Mhatre joins the ranks of Mohammad Kaif, Virat Kohli, Unmukt Chand, Prithvi Shaw, and Yash Dhull as Indian captains who have led their teams to U19 World Cup victory. India's six U19 World Cup titles surpass Australia's four, further cementing their legacy in youth cricket. This victory serves as a testament to the robust talent development system in Indian cricket and signals a promising future for the sport in the country.