Harare, Feb 6 (UNI) Vaibhav Sooryavanshi produced a batting masterclass, blasting 175 off just 80 balls to power India U19 to a colossal 411 for 9 against England U19 in the ICC Under-19 World Cup 2026 final at Harare Sports Club on Friday.
The left-handed prodigy’s innings, studded with 15 boundaries and 15 sixes at a strike rate of 218.75, left the England bowlers shell-shocked and the crowd in awe.
Sooryavanshi raced to a 32-ball half-century before completing a blistering 55-ball century, raising his bat to a standing ovation and acknowledging the dressing room in a moment of pure cricketing euphoria. From elegant drives and audacious sweeps to thunderous pulls and cuts, the 14-year-old dismantled every bowler he faced, asserting dominance rarely seen at the Under-19 level.
Particularly punishing against James Minto, Ralphie Albert, Alex Green, and Farhan Ahmed, Sooryavanshi’s relentless assault propelled India past the 400-run mark. His innings finally ended in the 25th over when he was caught by Thomas Rew off Manny Lumsden, but not before leaving spectators and opponents alike in awe of one of the most devastating knocks in U19 World Cup history.
Captain Ayush Mhatre offered steady support with a fluent 53 off 51 balls, while Abhigyan Kundu’s quickfire 40 from 31 deliveries kept India’s momentum roaring. Vedant Trivedi (32) and Vihaan Malhotra (30) also chipped in, helping the team maintain an extraordinary scoring rate throughout their 48.4-over innings. Extras added 10 runs, including eight wides.
England’s bowlers struggled under the barrage. James Minto claimed 3 for 63, while Sebastian Morgan and Alex Green took two wickets each. Manny Lumsden went for 81 runs in a single wicket spell.
The innings featured high-octane partnerships, including a 142-run stand between Sooryavanshi and Mhatre, and a 51-run alliance between Kundu and RS Ambrish. Early breakthroughs, such as the wicket of Aaron George for 9, barely slowed India’s charge.
With 411 runs on the board, England U19 face a daunting chase to claim their first Under-19 World Cup title since 2016, setting up a thrilling high-scoring finale.
Umpires for the final are Lubabalo Gcuma and Shaun Haig, with Zahid Bassarath serving as the third umpire. Graeme Labrooy is the match referee.
India U19 411/9 (48.4 ov): Vaibhav Sooryavanshi 175 (80b, 15×4, 15×6), Ayush Mhatre 53, Abhigyan Kundu 40, Vedant Trivedi 32, Vihaan Malhotra 30; Extras 9, England U19 bowling: James Minto 3/63, Sebastian Morgan 2/74, Alex Green 2/49, Manny Lumsden 1/81.
