India beat England by 100 runs to win the ICC Under-19 Men’s Cricket World Cup final at the Harare Sports Club in Harare on Friday, claiming a record-extending sixth U19 World Cup crown.
India won the toss and elected to bat first, but England struck early as Alex Green dismissed semi-final centurion Aaron George to claim the first breakthrough. However, by the time the second wicket fell, India had firmly taken control of the contest. Led by the explosive Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, India went on a scoring spree as the England bowlers struggled for answers.
Skipper Ayush Mhatre joined the onslaught, with the pair powering India to 100 in just 13.2 overs and 150 in 17.1 overs. Mhatre played a brisk knock of 53 off 51 balls before Green struck again in the 19th over to remove the Indian captain, with the score at 162/2.
Sooryavanshi was unquestionably the star of the innings, producing a sensational 175, the highest individual score ever in an Under-19 World Cup final. By the time he was dismissed in the 26th over, India had already piled on 251 runs, putting them in a commanding position.
With a strong foundation laid, India’s middle order continued the onslaught. Vedant Trivedi (32 off 36) and Vihaan Malhotra (30 off 36) carried the total past 300, before Abhigyan Kundu smashed a quick 40 off 31 balls alongside R.S. Ambrish’s 18 off 24.
Kanishk Chouhan then provided the finishing flourish with a rapid 37* off 20 deliveries, propelling India past the 400-run mark and setting England a daunting target of 412.
India’s Vaibahv Sooryaavnshi is the ICC Men’s Under-19 Cricket World Cup 2026 Final Player of the Match for his stunning knock of 175 runs from 80 balls.
Despite losing an early wicket as R.S. Ambrish dismissed Joe Moores, England made a steady start to the chase with Ben Mayes and Ben Dawkins adding 74 runs for the second wicket.
Mayes fell for a well-made 45 off 28 balls, trapped by Khilan Patel, before Dawkins stitched together a further 49-run stand with skipper Thomas Rew. Rew showed intent with a brisk 31 off 18 balls but failed to convert his start, falling to Kanishk Chouhan.
India ascend to the throne and win the ICC Men’s Under-19 Cricket World Cup 2026.