India thumped England by 100 runs in the ICC Men’s Under-19 World Cup 2026 final. Thanks to a stunning century from Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and a top-notch bowling effort, India overcame the English hurdle. Ayush Mhatre led the side with real grit, guiding India to yet another world title.
The final took place on Friday at Harare Sports Club. India won the toss and decided to bat first. The young batters tore into the English attack, piling up a massive 411 for 9 in 50 overs. England faced a mountain to climb, needing 412 runs to win. They gave it a shot but only managed 311 all out in 40.2 overs.
India didn’t lose a single match all tournament. Seven games, seven wins and the trophy was theirs. England probably felt ‘deja vu’ as India beat them in the 2022 final, and here they were again, watching India lift the cup. India’s Under-19s have now won this tournament six times: 2000, 2008, 2012, 2018, 2022 and now in 2026. Ayush Mhatre joins the likes of Virat Kohli, Mohammad Kaif, Prithvi Shaw, Yash Dhull, and Unmukt Chand as a World Cup-winning captain.
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi registered highest individual score in a U19 World Cup final
Colt-star Vaibhav Sooryavanshi took the responsibility and absolutely lit up the final. He smashed 175 off just 80 balls, clearing the ropes 15 times and hitting 15 fours. Captain Mhatre chipped in with a solid 53. Abhigyan Kundu added 40 off 31 and Kanishk Chauhan hammered 37 from just 20 balls. The rest didn’t do much. But with a total like 411, there was no complaining. For England, James Minto picked up three wickets, Alex Green and Sebastian Morgan took two each, and Manny Lumsden got one.
England’s reply started with promise. Ben Dawkins hit 66, and Joseph Moores added 17. Ben Mayes fought hard for his 45 but wickets started tumbling after that. Captain Thomas Reeve managed 31 as the English middle order fell apart. Caleb Faulkner put up a fight and brought up his fifty with a big six in just 26 balls. He kept going and reached a superb hundred off 63. He finally went for 115, but the rest couldn’t keep up. RS Ambrish led the Indian bowlers with three wickets, while Deepesh Devendran and Kanishk Chauhan picked up two apiece. Khilan Patel and skipper Ayush Mhatre each took one.
India’s playing XI: Aaron George, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Ayush Mhatre (captain), Vihan Malhotra, Vedant Trivedi, Abhigyan Kundu (wicketkeeper), RS Ambrish, Kanishk Chauhan, Khilan Patel, Henil Patel, Deepesh Devendran.
England’s playing XI: Ben Dawkins, Joseph Moores, Ben Mayes, Thomas Reeve (captain/wicketkeeper), Caleb Faulkner, Ralphie Albert, Farhan Ahmed, Sebastian Morgan, James Minto, Manny Lumsden, Alex Green.
