In a stunning display of dominance, India's Under-19 cricket team has clinched their sixth ICC Under-19 World Cup title, solidifying their status as a cricketing powerhouse at the youth level. The team, led by the tactically astute Ayush Mhatre, remained undefeated throughout the tournament, showcasing remarkable depth, consistency, and strategic leadership. The final, held at the Harare Sports Club in Harare, Zimbabwe, witnessed India overpowering England by 100 runs in a high-octane clash.
India's journey to the title was marked by consistent all-round performances. They topped their group and the Super Six stage with convincing wins, before securing a strong victory against Afghanistan in the semi-final. In the final, after winning the toss, India posted a massive 411/9, the highest team total ever in an U19 World Cup final. This was largely thanks to a sensational 175-run innings from 14-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. Their bowlers then restricted England to 311, sealing a comfortable victory.
Sooryavanshi's innings was a masterclass in aggressive batting, studded with 15 fours and 15 sixes, achieving a strike rate of 218.75. He set multiple U19 records, including the highest individual score in an U19 World Cup final. At one stage, his score constituted 175 of the team's 250 runs. His 30 sixes in the tournament nearly doubled the previous record. Mhatre contributed a brisk 53, while Kanishk Chouhan's late cameo of 37*, Abhigyan Kundu (40), Vedant Trivedi (32), and Vihaan Malhotra (30) propelled India past 400.
England's chase began steadily, with Ben Dawkins scoring 66 and Ben Mayes contributing a quickfire 45. However, the Indian bowlers maintained pressure, picking up wickets at regular intervals. Caleb Falconer's valiant century (115 off 67 balls) provided some resistance, but it wasn't enough to overcome the imposing target. R.S. Ambrish led the Indian bowling attack with 3/56, while Kanishk Chouhan and Deepesh Devendran provided crucial breakthroughs.
This victory marks India's sixth U19 World Cup title, extending their lead over Australia, who have four titles. India now holds five major ICC titles simultaneously across men's, women's, and age-group cricket. These include the Men's T20 World Cup (2024), ICC Champions Trophy (2025), Women's ODI World Cup (2025), Women's U19 World Cup (2025), and the Men's U19 World Cup (2026). This win further solidifies India's dominance in international cricket, showcasing the strength of the BCCI Academy and the emergence of talented young players.
The success of India's U-19 team can be attributed to a robust system that identifies and nurtures talent from a young age. This triumph is not just a win, but a statement about the future of Indian cricket.