India Clinch Sixth U19 World Cup Title Powered by Vaibhav Suryavanshis Rampaging Century

Riding on the bat of 14-year-old Vaibhav Suryavanshi, India thrashed England in a one-sided final to win a record sixth ICC U19 World Cup title.

After winning the toss at the Harare Sports Club in Zimbabwe, Indian captain Ayush Mhatre elected to bat first. India posted a massive 411/9 in 50 overs, the highest team total in the history of U19 World Cup finals. The foundation of the innings was laid by Vaibhav Suryavanshi, who smashed a breathtaking 175 off just 80 balls.

In reply, England were bowled out for 311 in 40.2 overs. Although Caleb Falconer played a fighting knock of 115 off 67 balls, the target ultimately proved to be beyond England’s reach.

Despite losing opener Aaron George in the fourth over, India seized control of the match early on. After a relatively watchful start, Vaibhav quickly shifted gears. He brought up his fourth half-century of the tournament in just 32 balls before raising his maiden U19 World Cup century 23 deliveries later.

His 55-ball hundred is the second-fastest century in U19 World Cup history. Earlier in the tournament, Australia’s Will Malajczuk had scored a 51-ball century against Japan. Vaibhav went on to reach 150 in just 71 balls and looked set for his first double century in Youth ODIs before being caught behind off Manny Lumsden in the 26th over.

His innings featured 15 sixes and 15 fours — the most sixes ever hit by a player in a single Youth ODI match. A staggering 150 of his runs came through boundaries alone. Vaibhav also became the first batter in age-group cricket to hit more than 100 sixes.

Previously, the highest individual score in a U19 World Cup final was 111, made by India’s Unmukt Chand against Australia in 2012. Vaibhav’s knock surpassed that record and became only the sixth century ever scored in a tournament final.

At the other end, captain Ayush Mhatre provided excellent support with 53 off 51 balls, while Vedant Trivedi added 32 off 36. When Vaibhav was dismissed, India were 251/3. Contributions from Vihaan Malhotra, Abhigyan Kundu, RS Ambrish and Kanishk Chouhan then powered India to 411 in their allotted 50 overs.

Chasing a daunting target, England lost wickets at regular intervals. Opener Ben Dawkins scored 66, while Ben Mayes struck a quickfire 45. Despite the loss, Mayes finished the tournament as the leading run-scorer with 444 runs — five more than Vaibhav.

For India, all bowlers except Henil Patel picked up wickets, with RS Ambrish returning the best figures of 3/56.

With this victory, India lifted their sixth U19 World Cup title, moving two trophies clear of Australia, the second-most successful team in the tournament’s history.