Historic innings by Indian opener in Harare

The final match of the ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup 2026 is underway between India and England at the Harare Sports Club in Zimbabwe. Indian opener Vaibhav Sooryavanshi delivered a record-breaking performance, scoring 175 runs off just 80 deliveries. His aggressive knock played a crucial role in helping India post a massive total of 411 runs in their allotted 50 overs.

Sooryavanshi hits 15 sixes and 15 fours in explosive knock

Sooryavanshi’s innings stood out for its power and consistency. He struck 15 sixes and 15 fours during his time at the crease, maintaining a high strike rate and dominating bowlers across all parts of the ground. This performance is among the highest individual scores recorded in the final of any Under-19 World Cup match to date.

Strong opening partnership lays foundation for India

The Indian team got off to a commanding start, with a solid opening partnership that provided momentum early on. Sooryavanshi took the lead, pacing the innings with both calculated strokes and aggressive shot selection. The opening stand allowed India to capitalize in the middle overs and maintain a steady scoring rate throughout the innings.

India crosses 400-run mark in a World Cup final

Thanks to Sooryavanshi’s century and consistent contributions from other batters, India reached a total of 411 runs—the highest team total in an Under-19 World Cup final. The batting lineup maintained pressure on the English bowlers, converting singles into doubles and targeting boundaries regularly. The batting strategy paid off, setting England a daunting target to chase in the second innings.

Impact on the tournament and record books

Sooryavanshi’s 175-run effort is not only one of the most remarkable individual performances in Under-19 cricket but also a significant milestone in Indian youth cricket history. The innings has added his name to the list of emerging talents to watch and further strengthens India’s legacy in youth tournaments. His powerful batting display could prove decisive in the outcome of the high-stakes final.

England faces challenging chase in title clash

With a target of 412 runs, England has a steep challenge ahead. The Indian bowlers now have a significant cushion to defend and will look to maintain pressure from the start of England’s innings. The high-scoring total will test England’s batting depth and composure under pressure during the remainder of the match at the Harare Sports Club.