India reclaimed their throne at the summit of youth cricket on Friday, defeating England by 100 runs in a high-scoring final to secure a record-extending sixth ICC Under-19 World Cup title.
The day belonged to 14-year-old batting sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, who decimated the English attack with a breathtaking 175 off just 80 balls. His innings, the highest ever in a U19 World Cup final, propelled India to a massive 411/9 the first time a team has crossed the 400-mark in a Youth ODI between Full Member nations.
After India opted to bat, Sooryavanshi unleashed a relentless assault. He reached his century in just 55 balls and his 150 in 71, raining 15 sixes and 15 fours across the Harare Sports Club. Alongside captain Ayush Mhatre (53), he put on a dominant 142-run stand for the second wicket.
Though a mini-collapse followed his dismissal in the 26th over, cameos from Abhigyan Kundu ($40$) and Kanishk Chouhan (37*) ensured India set a record-breaking target of 412.
England’s response began with promise through Ben Dawkins (66) and Ben Mayes (45), but India’s disciplined bowling soon tightened the screws. A middle-order collapse saw England slip from 174/3 to 177/7 in a matter of minutes.
Caleb Falconer provided the only sustained resistance, striking a brilliant 115 off 67 balls. However, with the required run rate climbing above 12, Falconer was eventually the last man out, caught off the bowling of Chouhan.
India’s RS Ambrish was the pick of the bowlers with 3/56, sealing a comprehensive victory for the "Boys in Blue."
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