The Indian Under-19 cricket team made history again on a Friday at the Harare Sports Club in Zimbabwe. India beat England by 100 runs to win the ICC Men’s U19 World Cup 2026. They showed off their power-hitting and disciplined bowling.
This win gives India its sixth title in the tournament’s history, making them the most successful country in age-group cricket. This win felt like a big redemption for the “Blue Colts” after losing to Australia in the 2024 final. Captain Ayush Mhatre led the team to victory.
The Suryavanshi Storm: 175 runs off 80 balls
There was only one name in the news that day: Vaibhav Suryavanshi. Many people are calling the 14-year-old batting star’s performance the best ever in the history of the U19 World Cup finals.
India chose to bat first, but they got off to a shaky start when opener Aaron George got out early. But Suryavanshi teamed up with captain Ayush Mhatre, and what happened next was a complete disaster. Suryavanshi got to 100 runs in just 55 balls, making it the second-fastest in U19 World Cup history. But he didn’t stop there.
He hit the English attack all over the Harare Sports Club, scoring an amazing 175 runs off of just 80 balls. He hit 15 fours and 15 sixes in his innings, which set a new record for the highest individual score in an ICC tournament final, beating Alyssa Healy’s 170. India was already in complete control at 251/3 when he was out in the 26th over.
India’s 411/9: Setting a Mountain to Climb
Suryavanshi was the main character, but the supporting cast did a great job as well. Captain Ayush Mhatre held the innings together with a calm 53 runs off 51 balls, giving Suryavanshi the chance to go crazy.
After the set platform, the middle order kept the game going. Abhigyan Kundu (40) and Kanishk Chouhan (37* off 20) lit up the night. In the end, India scored a huge 411 runs in 50 overs. This was the most points ever scored in an U19 World Cup final, which meant that England had to chase down a world record.
The Caleb Falconer Century: England’s Brave Fight
England’s response to chasing 412 was aggressive, but it didn’t have the stability needed for such a big goal. The English fans had a little hope when openers Ben Dawkins (66) and Ben Mayes (45) got off to a quick start, but the Indian bowlers struck at key times to keep the required run rate rising.
Caleb Falconer was England’s best player, and he fought a lonely battle to score a great century. Falconer’s 115 runs off 67 balls were a masterclass in counter-attacking cricket, but he didn’t get much help from the other end as the Indian spin-twins and medium-pacers squeezed the life out of the middle order.
The Bowling Masterclass: Ambrish and Devendran Do Great
India’s bowling attack, which has been the key to their success, didn’t let them down on the big stage. RS Ambrish was the best bowler, taking 3/56 wickets, including the important ones of the English tail as they tried to make the loss less painful.
Deepesh Devendran and Kanishk Chouhan each took two wickets, making sure that England could never form the big partnerships they needed. India won by a convincing 100 runs when England was finally out for 311 in 40.2 overs.
Historical Background: India’s Road to Six Titles
India’s win gives them a bigger lead at the top of the all-time winners list. Stars like Virat Kohli (2008), Unmukt Chand (2012), Prithvi Shaw (2018), and Yash Dhull (2022) have all won the trophy since Mohammad Kaif’s team started the journey in 2000.
| Year | Winning Captain | Opponent in Final | Result |
| 2000 | Mohammad Kaif | Sri Lanka | India won by 6 wickets |
| 2008 | Virat Kohli | South Africa | India won by 12 runs (D/L) |
| 2012 | Unmukt Chand | Australia | India won by 6 wickets |
| 2018 | Prithvi Shaw | Australia | India won by 8 wickets |
| 2022 | Yash Dhull | England | India won by 4 wickets |
| 2026 | Ayush Mhatre | England | India won by 100 runs |
Player of the Tournament: Vaibhav Suryavanshi
It was no surprise that Vaibhav Suryavanshi was named both Player of the Match and Player of the Tournament. He scored 439 runs in 7 innings during the campaign, and his fearless play at the top of the order has been compared to that of young Rishabh Pant and Abhishek Sharma. “We just wanted to follow our process and play our natural game,” Suryavanshi said after the game. “I was sure of my skills, and the help from the coaches and the captain made it easier for me to speak up today.”
The Legacy Goes On
The Indian players are making their way around Harare, and the message to the cricketing world is clear: there are more Indian players coming through than ever before. This 2026 team has set a new standard for excellence, from Ayush Mhatre’s creative leadership to Suryavanshi’s brute strength and the coaching staff’s tactical genius.
The “Blue Colts” have shown the senior team how to win global trophies. For the fans back home, this win means more than just a trophy; it means that Indian cricket’s future is in very good hands.