A dominant India beat England to win the ICC Under-19 Men’s Cricket World Cup 2026 for a record sixth time.
India beat England by 100 runs to win the ICC Under-19 Men's Cricket World Cup final at the Harare Sports Club in the Zimbabwe capital, to claim their sixth U19 World Cup crown. After winning the toss and batting first, England struck early as Alex Green dismissed Aaron George to claim the first breakthrough. But India tool a firm charge.
Led by Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, they went on a scoring spree as the England bowlers struggled for answers. The Indians secured a comprehensive 100-run win over England in what was a high-octane clash, especially when captain Ayush Mhatre joined the onslaught.
With the two of them at the crease, they were able to power India to 100 in just 13.2 overs and 150 in 17.1 overs. Mhatre played a brisk knock of 53 off 51 balls before Green struck again in the 19th over to remove the Indian captain, with the score at 162/2.
Star of the innings, Sooryavanshi made 175 - the highest individual score ever in an Under-19 World Cup final – and by the time he was dismissed, India had already piled on 251 runs, putting them in a commanding position. With a strong foundation laid, their middle order continued the onslaught, with Vedant Trivedi (32 off 36) and Vihaan Malhotra (30 off 36) carrying the total past 300, before Abhigyan Kundu smashed a quick 40 off 31 balls alongside R.S. Ambrish’s 18 off 24.
Kanishk Chouhan then provided the finishing flourish with a rapid 37 off 20 deliveries, propelling India past the 400-run mark and setting England a daunting target of 412. In their innings, R.S. Ambrish dismissed Joe Moores, but England made a steady start to the chase with Ben Mayes and Ben Dawkins adding 74 runs for the second wicket - Mayes falling for 45 off 28 balls and Dawkins making 66.
England skipper, Thomas Rew, made a brisk 31 off 18 balls but failed to convert his start, falling to Kanishk Chouhan. They went on to lose four wickets in the space of two overs, slipping from 174/3 to 177/7 as the chase derailed.
Caleb Falconer led a spirited fightback alongside James Minto, with the pair adding 92 runs. Ambrish broke the partnership to claim his third wicket, dismissing Minto for 28 off 41 balls. Falconer brought up a valiant 115 off 67 deliveries. However, the target proved far too challenging, as Chouhan dismissed Falconer to seal a comprehensive 100-run victory for India.
India's Vaibahv Sooryaavnshi was selected as the ICC Men's Under-19 Cricket World Cup 2026 Final Player of the Match for his stunning knock of 175 runs from 80 balls.