U19 World Cup 2026: India colts ride on Vaibhav Suryavanshi blitzkrieg to emerge champions

India emerged champions of the Under-19 World Cup 2026 after scripting an emphatic victory by 100 runs against England in the final match at Harare on Friday. This is the sixth U-19 World Cup title for India.

Chasing a massive victory target of 412, England were bowled out for 311 in 40.2 overs. Despite a brilliant ton by Caleb Falconer (115, 67b, 9x4, 7x6), England failed to overcome the target. Barring Ben Mayes (45, 28b, 7x4, 2x6) nobody was able to give any support to Falconer.

RS Ambrish (3/56) was the best bowler for India and he was ably supported by Deepesh Devendran (2/64) and Kanishk Chouhan (2/63).

Earlier, emerging batting sensation Vaibhav Suryavanshi’s marathon knock helped India post 411 runs for the loss of nine wickets. It is the highest ever score in an Under-19 World Cup final.

The 14-year-old batter scored 175 runs off just 80 balls, with the help of 15 fours and 15 sixes. His dismissal in the 26th over put the brakes on India's scoring rate. India was on 251 and had a chance to cross the 450-run mark. However, England bowlers captured wickets at regular intervals to limit the damage in the last phase of the match.

Aaron George was the only top-order batter who disappointed. He managed to score only 9 runs. Captain Ayush Mhatre scored a half-century and allowed Vaibhav to go after the rivals. Mhatre scored 53 runs from 51 balls, including 7 boundaries and 2 sixes.

Vedant Trivedi (32 off 36) and Vihaan Malhotra (30 off 36), the two in-form batters, added crucial runs to the total. India’s wicket-keeper Abhigyan Kundu was impressive as he scored 40 runs off 31 deliveries, with the help of 6 boundaries and 1 six.

Also Read: U19 World Cup Final vs England: Vaibhav Suryavanshi’s marathon knock powers India to record 411/9

When it looked like India would not be able to touch the 400-run mark, Kanishk Chouhan went berserk, scoring 37 not out in 20 balls, including 3 fours and 1 six to take the score to 411 for 9 in the allotted 50 overs.

English bowler James Minto took three wickets while Sebastian Morgan and Alex Green dismissed two batters each.