India Crush England, Win Record 6th U19 World Cup Title

India defeated England by 100 runs to win the ICC Under-19 Men’s Cricket World Cup 2026 final at Harare Sports Club, Harare, on Friday. With this win, India lifted their record-extending sixth U19 World Cup trophy.

India won the toss and chose to bat first, but England got an early breakthrough when Alex Green dismissed Aaron George. However, India quickly took control as Vaibhav Sooryavanshi played a stunning attacking innings.

Captain Ayush Mhatre supported him well, and the pair took India to 100 runs in just 13.2 overs and 150 in 17.1 overs. Mhatre scored 53 runs from 51 balls before Green struck again in the 19th over to remove him with India at 162/2.

Sooryavanshi was the star of the match. He smashed a brilliant 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 reached 251 runs.

India’s middle order continued the strong scoring. Vedant Trivedi scored 32 off 36 balls, while Vihaan Malhotra added 30 off 36 to push the total beyond 300. Abhigyan Kundu hit a quick 40 off 31 balls, and R.S. Ambrish made 18 off 24.

Kanishk Chouhan then provided the finishing touch with an unbeaten 37 off 20 balls. India finished with a massive total of 411, setting England a target of 412 runs to win.

In reply, England lost an early wicket when R.S. Ambrish dismissed Joe Moores. Ben Mayes and Ben Dawkins added 74 runs for the second wicket, giving England a steady start. Mayes scored 45 off 28 balls before he was trapped by Khilan Patel.

Dawkins then added 49 runs with captain Thomas Rew. Rew played a quick 31 off 18 balls but got out to Kanishk Chouhan.

The match turned strongly in India’s favour when England collapsed from 174/3 to 177/7, losing four wickets in just two overs. Caleb Falconer and James Minto tried to rebuild the innings with a 92-run partnership. Ambrish broke the stand by dismissing Minto for 28 off 41 balls.

Falconer continued to fight and scored a brilliant century. He made 115 runs from 67 balls, hitting nine fours and seven sixes. But the target was too big, and Chouhan dismissed Falconer to seal a comfortable 100-run win for India.

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi was named Player of the Match for his record-breaking 175 in the final.