Harare, Feb 6 (UNI) Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s sensational innings powered India U19 to a commanding 100-run victory over England U19 in the ICC Under-19 World Cup 2026 final at Harare Sports Club on Friday.
Electing to bat, India posted a colossal 411 for 9 in 48.4 overs. The left-handed prodigy Sooryavanshi produced a breathtaking 175 off just 80 balls, smashing 15 boundaries and 15 sixes at a strike rate of 218.75. His innings included a 32-ball half-century and a 55-ball century, leaving England’s bowlers reeling and the crowd in awe.
From elegant drives and audacious sweeps to thunderous pulls and cuts, the 14-year-old dismantled every bowler he faced, asserting a level of dominance rarely seen at the Under-19 level. Particularly punishing against James Minto, Ralphie Albert, Alex Green, and Farhan Ahmed, Sooryavanshi propelled India past the 400-run mark before being caught by Thomas Rew off Manny Lumsden in the 25th over.
Captain Ayush Mhatre provided calm support with a fluent 53 off 51 balls, while Abhigyan Kundu added a brisk 40 from 31 deliveries to maintain India’s momentum. Vedant Trivedi (32) and Vihaan Malhotra (30) also contributed crucial runs, helping India sustain a relentless scoring rate throughout their innings. Extras accounted for 10 runs, including eight wides. High-octane partnerships, notably a 142-run stand between Sooryavanshi and Mhatre and a 51-run alliance between Kundu and RS Ambrish, underlined India’s formidable batting depth.
England’s bowlers struggled to contain the onslaught. James Minto claimed 3 for 63, while Sebastian Morgan and Alex Green took two wickets each. Manny Lumsden conceded 81 runs for a solitary wicket, and early breakthroughs, such as the wicket of Aaron George for 9, did little to stem the flow of runs.
In response, England U19 faced a daunting chase and were restricted to 311 all out in 40.2 overs. Caleb Falconer top-scored with a valiant 115 off 67 balls, striking 9 fours and 7 sixes. Coming in with England in trouble, Falconer launched a counter-attacking innings that included audacious reverse sweeps, powerful drives, and scoops over fine leg, keeping his team in contention. He reached his century in style, lifting his helmet and kissing the badge, but fell in the final over, caught low to the ground by Khilan Patel off Kanishk Chouhan. The third umpire confirmed the catch, triggering jubilant celebrations in the India camp.
Ben Dawkins also staged a spirited fightback, scoring 66 off 56 balls, featuring aggressive lofted drives and precise back-foot cuts. His half-century briefly gave England hope, but he was dismissed by Ayush Mhatre, caught by Khilan Patel in the 20.4th over, and wickets continued to fall at regular intervals. Ben Mayes scored 45 and Thomas Rew contributed 31, but the rest of the batting line-up could not sustain the chase under relentless pressure from India’s bowlers.
India’s bowling attack was clinical. RS Ambrish led the way with 3 for 56, Deepesh Devendran took 2 for 64, Kanishk Chouhan claimed 2 for 63, while Ayush Mhatre and Khilan Patel chipped in with a wicket each. Their disciplined lines and lengths ensured England never truly recovered from the huge first-innings deficit.
Umpires for the final were Lubabalo Gcuma and Shaun Haig, with Zahid Bassarath as the third umpire and Graeme Labrooy serving as match referee.
Scorecard (brief):
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 10.
England U19 311 all out (40.2 ov): Caleb Falconer 115 (67b, 9×4, 7×6), Ben Dawkins 66 (56b, 7×4, 2×6), Ben Mayes 45, Thomas Rew 31; RS Ambrish 3/56, Deepesh Devendran 2/64, Kanishk Chouhan 2/63, Ayush Mhatre 1/31, Khilan Patel 1/66.
India U19 won by 100 runs.
