India Crowned U19 World Champions; Sooryavanshi Smashes Historic 175
The 'Boys in Blue' defeated England by 100 runs in Harare to lift a record-extending sixth U19 World Cup title.
Published: Feb 06, 2026 • 8:45 PM IST
Hurray: The wait is finally over. In a performance that will be talked about for generations, the Indian U19 cricket team has etched its name in history once again, defeating England by 100 runs to clinch the 2026 ICC U19 Men's Cricket World Cup.
This victory at the Harare Sports Club marks India’s sixth global title, solidifying their reputation as the undisputed powerhouse of youth cricket.
The Sooryavanshi Show
While the victory was a team effort, the day belonged to 14-year-old prodigy Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. Opening the batting, he played an innings of such ferocity that it effectively ended the contest in the first half.
– Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Player of the Match
Sooryavanshi scored a mammoth 175 runs off just 80 balls. His knock included 15 boundaries and 15 sixes, breaking the record for the highest individual score in a U19 World Cup final. He reached his century in a blistering 55 balls.
England's Brave Chase
Chasing a mountain of 412 runs, England showed remarkable grit. Caleb Falconer stood tall among the ruins, scoring a fighting 115 off 92 balls. However, the pressure of the scoreboard was too immense.
Indian pacer RS Ambrish (3/55) and spinner Kanishk Chouhan broke the back of the English lineup, bundling them out for 311 in the 41st over.
A Legacy Continued
With this win, Captain Ayush Mhatre joins the elite list of Indian captains—Mohammad Kaif, Virat Kohli, Unmukt Chand, Prithvi Shaw, and Yash Dhull—who have led India to U19 World Cup glory.