HARARE, Zimbabwe – In a display of sheer dominance, India clinched their sixth Under-19 Cricket World Cup title by thrashing England by 100 runs in the final at Harare Sports Club on Friday. The spotlight shone brightest on opener Vaibhav Suryavanshi, whose blistering 175 off just 80 balls – adorned with 15 fours and 15 sixes – dismantled England’s bowling attack and etched his name into cricketing folklore.
Suryavanshi didn’t just win the Player of the Match award; he was rightfully crowned Player of the Series for his consistent brilliance throughout the tournament. Post-match, the young star from Bihar opened up about the grueling journey behind this triumph. ‘The hard work we’ve put in over the last 7-8 months is something only the players truly understand,’ he said, dedicating his accolades to the support staff who ensured peak fitness.
India posted a mammoth 411/9 in their 50 overs, setting England an improbable target. The English side crumbled to 311 all out in 40.2 overs, despite Caleb Faulkner’s valiant 115. Suryavanshi revealed the team’s mindset: no undue pressure, just sticking to the process honed since the Asia Cup and beyond. ‘I trusted my skills for big games, and today it paid off,’ he added.
This victory marks India’s record-extending sixth U19 World Cup title, a testament to the depth in Indian cricket’s youth pipeline. Suryavanshi’s knock shattered multiple records, including the highest individual score in a U19 World Cup final. As celebrations erupted, the 17-year-old emphasized the relentless preparation that turned dreams into reality.
For England, the loss was a harsh lesson, but Faulkner’s effort offered a silver lining. India’s campaign was flawless, blending explosive batting with sharp fielding. Suryavanshi’s words resonate: behind every trophy lies sweat visible only to those who toiled. This win propels India forward, with eyes now on nurturing these talents for senior stages.