Mumbai: In a dazzling display of young talent, India’s Under-19 cricket team clinched their sixth ICC U-19 World Cup title, thrashing England by a commanding 100 runs in the final here.
Led by captain Ayush Matre, the Boys in Blue extended their unrivalled dominance in junior cricket, adding another feather to India’s cap amid a golden era of five ICC triumphs in just two years.
Chasing a formidable target 412 in 50 overs, England crumbled under pressure as India’s bowlers ran riot with the chase ending at 311.
The star of the show was 14-year-old sensation Vaibhav Suryavanshi, who smashed a blistering century (175 off 80 balls; 15 fours & 15 sixes) in the final, earning him Player of the Match and Player of the Tournament honours. His record-breaking feats have already marked him as a future superstar.
This victory cements India’s status as the most successful side in U-19 history, with titles in 2000 (Mohammad Kaif), 2008 (Virat Kohli), 2012 (Unmukt Chand), 2018 (Prithvi Shaw), 2022 (Yash Dhull), and now 2026. Since 2016, the team boasts an astonishing 92.1% win rate, securing 35 out of 38 matches.
The triumph aligns with India’s broader conquests: the men’s T20 World Cup (2024, Rohit Sharma), the ICC Champions Trophy (2025, Rohit Sharma), the women’s ODI World Cup (2025, Harmanpreet Kaur), and the women’s U-19 World Cup (2025).
As cricket enthusiasts celebrate, this young squad’s heroics signal a bright future for Indian cricket on the global stage.