India reaffirmed their dominance in youth cricket on Friday after defeating England by 100 runs to win a record-extending sixth ICC Under-19 Men’s Cricket World Cup title in the final played at Harare Sports Club.
The victory capped 23 days of competition involving 16 teams playing 41 matches across Zimbabwe and Namibia, concluding a landmark tournament that saw Zimbabwe host a World Cup final for the first time in any format.
On the biggest stage, India delivered a commanding performance, one shaped by a breathtaking innings from 14-year-old batting prodigy Vaibhav Suryavanshi, who produced one of the greatest knocks in junior cricket history.
Suryavanshi smashed 175 off 80 balls, setting a new record for the highest score in an Under-19 World Cup final. His innings featured 30 boundaries, split evenly between fours and sixes, and came at a blistering strike rate of 218.75. His brilliance powered India to a formidable 411–9 after opting to bat first.
With runs on the board, India’s bowlers kept England under constant pressure, cutting off scoring opportunities and steadily tightening their grip on the match. England never recovered from India’s early breakthroughs, eventually falling 100 runs short as India sealed another emphatic U19 triumph.
Beyond India’s victory, the tournament marked a significant moment for Zimbabwean cricket. Hosting the U19 World Cup brought global attention back to Zimbabwe, with powerhouse nations such as England and Australia returning after years without touring the country.
For Zimbabwe, the smooth and successful hosting of the event serves as a major confidence booster ahead of next year’s ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup, which the country is preparing to co-host. The flawless organisation and vibrant atmosphere showcased Zimbabwe’s readiness to stage world-class cricket events.
