U19 World Cup 2026 Final | IND U19 vs ENG U19: After three thrilling weeks of cricket, India U19, led by Ayush Mhatre, clashed with Thomas Rew’s England U19 in the grand final on Friday.
Winning the toss at the Harare Sports Club, Harare, Indian captain Ayush Mhatre elected to bat first.
India suffered an early setback as opener Aaron George was dismissed in the fourth over. However, skipper Ayush Mhatre steadied the innings alongside young sensation Vaibhav Suryavanshi, and the duo stitched together a magnificent 142-run partnership for the second wicket. Mhatre was eventually dismissed for 53 off 51 balls.
Vaibhav Suryavanshi continued his breathtaking assault on the England bowling attack, scoring a remarkable 175 off just 80 balls, including 15 fours and 15 sixes.
Late-order contributions from wicketkeeper Abhigyan Kundu, who scored a quick 40 off 31 balls, and Kanishk Chouhan, who added 37 off 20 balls, powered India to a mammoth total of 411 for 9 at the end of 50 overs. This is the highest total ever recorded in a U19 World Cup final.
With his sensational knock, Suryavanshi shattered multiple records, registering the second-fastest century in U19 World Cup history, the fastest 150 in the tournament, and the most sixes in an innings in U19 World Cup history.
Chasing a daunting target of 412, England lost their opener in the fifth over. After a cautious start, Ben Dawkins and Ben Mayes revived the innings with a 74-run partnership for the second wicket. Mayes departed for 45 off 28 balls, followed by a brisk 31 off 18 from captain Thomas Rew.
England looked well placed at 171 for 3 after 20 overs before Ayush Mhatre struck twice in the 21st over, dismissing Ben Dawkins and Ralphie Albert. Deepesh Devendran then ran through the middle order in the following over, removing Farhan Ahmed and Sebastian Morgan, as England slumped from 171 for 3 to 177 for 7 in a matter of minutes.
Caleb Falconer fought valiantly with a superb 115 off 67 balls, but his efforts went in vain as England were bowled out for 311.
India clinched the final by 100 runs to lift their sixth U19 World Cup title, the most by any team in the tournament’s history. Australia remain second on the list with four titles.
Vaibhav Suryavanshi made history by becoming the first player to win both the Player of the Final and Player of the Tournament awards in a U19 World Cup. He finished the tournament with 439 runs, averaging 62.71 at a strike rate of 169.50.
– Magizh
