India Thrash England to Lift Under-19 World Cup for Sixth Time

Harare, Feb 2026:
India Under-19 created history by defeating England Under-19 by a massive 100-run margin to clinch the Under-19 World Cup title for a record sixth time. The grand final was played at the Harare Sports Club in Zimbabwe, where the Indian team delivered a commanding all-round performance under the leadership of Mumbai’s Ayush Mhatre.

After winning the toss, India chose to bat first but faced an early setback as opener Aaron George was dismissed for just 9 runs. However, Vaibhav Suryavanshi and captain Ayush Mhatre steadied the innings with a crucial 142-run partnership for the second wicket. Mhatre played a responsible knock of 53 runs off 51 balls, while Suryavanshi unleashed a sensational innings of 175 runs off just 80 balls, smashing 15 fours and 15 sixes.

Suryavanshi narrowly missed a double century by 25 runs and also registered the second-fastest century in Under-19 World Cup history, reaching the milestone in only 55 balls. His explosive batting put England’s bowlers under immense pressure and gave India a solid platform.

Further contributions came from Vedant Trivedi (32), Vihan Malhotra (30), Abhigyan Kundu (40), and an unbeaten 37 by Kanishk Chauhan, helping India post a massive total of 411 for 9 in their allotted overs.

Chasing a daunting target of 412, England suffered early blows as opener Joseph Mures was dismissed for 17. Ben Dawkins (66) and Ben Mayes (45) attempted to rebuild the innings, but both failed to convert their starts into match-winning knocks. Despite a fighting effort by Caleb Matthew Falconer, England ran out of wickets and momentum, eventually falling 100 runs short of the target.

With this emphatic victory, India lifted the Under-19 World Cup trophy for the sixth time, reaffirming their dominance in youth cricket and highlighting the emergence of future stars on the global stage.