India Win U19 World Cup 2026, Beat England by 100 Runs

India’s next generation of cricketing superstars delivered a performance for the ages on Friday, as the Men in Blue defeated England by a commanding 100-run margin to lift their record-extending sixth ICC Under-19 World Cup title. Powered by a once-in-a-generation innings from 14-year-old Vaibhav Suryavanshi, India scripted history at the Harare Sports Club in Zimbabwe, producing the largest victory margin by runs in a U19 World Cup final.

Batting first after winning the toss, India piled up a staggering 411/9 in 50 overs, the highest total ever recorded in an Under-19 World Cup final. England’s response, despite moments of resistance, never truly threatened the towering target, as they were bowled out for 311 in 40.2 overs.

The victory added yet another glittering chapter to India’s dominance in age-group cricket, with previous titles coming in 2000, 2008, 2012, 2018 and 2022, and moved the country two championships clear of Australia, the second-most successful side in the tournament’s history.

Also read: 175 Off 80 Balls! Vaibhav Suryavanshi Scripts History in U19 World Cup Final vs England

india beats england in under-19 cricket world cup final

Vaibhav Suryavanshi: A Knock for the Ages

The final will forever be remembered for Vaibhav Suryavanshi’s breathtaking 175 off just 80 balls, an innings that shattered records and redefined what is possible in youth cricket. At just 14 years of age, the left-hander produced a knock of astonishing fearlessness, skill and maturity, dismantling England’s bowling attack with ease.

Suryavanshi’s innings was packed with 15 fours and 15 sixes, with an extraordinary 150 runs coming through boundaries alone. He reached his fourth half-century of the tournament in only 32 balls, followed swiftly by his maiden Under-19 World Cup century, which arrived just 23 deliveries later.

His 55-ball hundred became the second-fastest century in U19 World Cup history, trailing only Australia’s Will Malajczuk, who had scored a 51-ball ton against Japan earlier in the same tournament. The teenager then surged ahead to bring up 150 in just 71 balls, registering the fastest 150 ever in Under-19 cricket.

By the time England finally managed to dismiss him in the 26th over—caught behind off Manny Lumsden—India had raced to 251 runs, and the final was already tilting decisively in their favour.

Suryavanshi’s 175 is now:

The highest individual score in an ICC tournament final
The highest score in an Under-19 World Cup final, surpassing Unmukt Chand’s 111 against Australia in 2012
Only the sixth century ever scored in a U19 World Cup summit clash
The most sixes (15) by any player in a single Youth ODI
A landmark innings that made him the first batter to hit over 100 sixes in Under-19 cricket history

Captain Ayush Mhatre and the Supporting Cast Step Up

While Suryavanshi dominated the headlines, India’s batting effort was a collective one, anchored smartly by captain Ayush Mhatre, who scored a composed 53 off 51 balls. Mhatre provided stability at the other end during the early onslaught, allowing Suryavanshi to attack freely.

India briefly lost opener Aaron George in the fourth over, but any momentum England hoped to gain evaporated as the Indian batters tightened their grip on the game. Vedant Trivedi chipped in with 32 off 36 balls, helping build a solid platform.

After Suryavanshi’s dismissal at 251/3, wickets fell at regular intervals, preventing India from completely running away during the death overs. However, contributions from Vihaan Malhotra, Abhigyan Kundu, R.S. Ambrish and Kanishk Chouhan ensured the scoring rate never dipped. Kundu and Chouhan, in particular, found the boundaries frequently to push India beyond the 400-run mark.

England’s bowlers struggled under relentless pressure. James Minto emerged as their most effective bowler with figures of 3/63, while Sebastian Morgan picked up 2/74, but the damage had already been done.

India closed their innings at 411/9, setting a new benchmark as the highest total ever in a U19 World Cup final.

india beats england in under-19 cricket world cup final

England’s Chase: Bright Starts, Mounting Pressure

Chasing an imposing target of 412, England required nothing short of a miracle. They began positively, with Ben Dawkins leading the charge with a fluent 66, while Thomas Rew and Ben Mayes provided brisk cameos to keep the required run rate momentarily within reach.

Mayes, who finished the tournament as the top run-scorer in the T20 World Cup 2026 with 444 runs—five more than Suryavanshi—looked threatening during his brief stay, but failed to convert his start into a match-altering knock.

India’s disciplined bowling soon turned the tide. A critical middle-order collapse saw England slide from 174/3 to 177/7, as scoreboard pressure and consistent wicket-taking strangled their momentum.

Falconer’s Lone Resistance

The lone bright spark in England’s innings was Caleb Falconer, who played a valiant knock of 115 off 66 balls (67 deliveries in some records), refusing to surrender even as wickets tumbled around him. Falconer formed a 92-run partnership in 80 balls with James Minto, briefly threatening to revive England’s hopes.

However, India’s bowlers maintained their composure. R.S. Ambrish, brought back into the attack at a crucial moment, broke the partnership with a sharp short ball that accounted for Minto. From there, the equation became too steep, even for Falconer’s heroics.

Falconer continued to fight until the very end and was the last wicket to fall, but England were eventually bowled out for 311 in 40.2 overs, sealing India’s emphatic 100-run victory.

india beats england in under-19 cricket world cup final

India’s Bowlers Seal a Complete Team Performance

India’s bowling effort was marked by discipline and collective responsibility. R.S. Ambrish led the attack with impressive figures of 3/56, while Deepesh Devendran and Kanishk Chouhan picked up two wickets each. With the exception of Henil Patel, all Indian bowlers contributed with wickets, ensuring England never truly threatened the target.

A Captain Joins an Elite Club

With this triumph, Ayush Mhatre etched his name alongside a glittering list of Indian Under-19 captains who have lifted the World Cup trophy before him. From Mohammed Kaif, Virat Kohli, Unmukt Chand, Prithvi Shaw and Yash Dhull, Mhatre now joins an elite hall of fame that reflects India’s sustained excellence at the youth level.

Scenes of celebration erupted back home in Virar, Maharashtra, near Mhatre’s residence, where neighbours and supporters gathered with drums, fireworks and cheers, celebrating a victory that symbolised both local pride and national promise.

Praise from the Greats and Words from the Star

Former India captain Virat Kohli extended his congratulations to the young champions, adding emotional weight to a moment that resonated across Indian cricket.

Unsurprisingly, Vaibhav Suryavanshi was named both Player of the Match and Player of the Tournament. Speaking after the final, the teenager expressed gratitude and belief in the team’s process.

“Feeling so good. I can’t express my feelings,” Suryavanshi said. “The way we worked so hard in the series and Asia Cup over the last seven to eight months—it’s been incredible. The support staff took such great care of our health, and I want to dedicate this award to them.”

He added, “We weren’t taking too much pressure. We wanted to follow our process and play to our strengths. Preparation was great even before the Asia Cup. Everyone was working hard. Only my teammates and I know how hard we worked together.”

Reflecting on his performance, the young prodigy said, “I had belief in my skills. I knew that in big games I could contribute for my team, and that’s what happened on the field today.”

india beats england in under-19 cricket world cup final