In a display of absolute dominance, India clinched their sixth Under-19 World Cup title by thrashing England by 100 runs in the final at Harare Sports Club. The young Indian brigade set the tone early, amassing a mammoth 411/9 in 50 overs after winning the toss and electing to bat.
Opener Vaibhav Suryavanshi stole the show with a blistering 175 off 80 balls, featuring 15 fours and 15 sixes. His knock laid the foundation after India lost Aaron George for 9 at 20. Partnering with skipper Ayush Mhatre, Suryavanshi added 142 runs for the second wicket, stabilizing the innings.
Mhatre departed after a gritty 53 off 51 balls, but Suryavanshi continued his assault alongside Vedant Trivedi, pushing the score to 251 with an 89-run stand. Post Suryavanshi’s exit, Vihaan Malhotra and Trivedi took India past 300. Malhotra made 30, Abhigyan Kundu chipped in with 40 off 31, and Kanishk Chauhan’s unbeaten 37 in the death overs sealed the imposing total.
England’s bowlers struggled, with James Minto claiming 3 wickets, while Sebastian Morgan and Alex Green took two each.
Chasing 412, England crumbled to 311 all out in 40.2 overs. They lost Joseph Moore early for 17 at 19, but Ben Dawkins and Ben Mays fought back with a 74-run partnership. Mays smashed 45 off 28 before falling.
Dawkins built further stands, but the middle order collapsed. By 20.4 overs, England were 174/4, slipping to 177/7 soon after. Caleb Faulkner waged a lone battle, scoring 115 off 67 balls with 9 fours and 7 sixes, but it wasn’t enough.
India’s bowlers shone bright, led by RS Ambarish’s 3 wickets. Deepesh Devendran and Kanishk Chauhan grabbed two apiece, with Mhatre snaring one. This historic victory cements India’s legacy in junior cricket, marking their sixth U19 World Cup triumph.