Online Reporter
Robson Sharuko
Metros Editor
IT’S been the week that has been dominated by the billion views which have been at the heart of the madness triggered by the X-rated Queen Nadia TV shows.
Of course, there won’t be a billion television viewers watching India take on England in the final of the 2026 ICC Cricket Under-19 World Cup at Harare Sports Club today.
Those are the regular television viewing figures on the occasions that India take on their biggest rivals Pakistan in cricket battles.
The teenagers, who are the next generation of Indian cricket superstars, don’t have the pulling power of the likes of Virat Kohli for them to draw a billion television viewers to watch their matches.
But, in a country of over 1,476 billion people, where cricket is something close to a religion, you can be guaranteed that tens of millions of fans will be following their teenagers live on television today in their quest for World Cup glory.
A 2018 survey by the International Cricket Council revealed that an estimated 90% of the world’s cricket fans live on the Indian subcontinent.
It’s a game that has been played in those parts of the world since 1721 when English sailors played a match in Tankari Bandar as they waited for the tide to rise.
It also turned into a sport of resistance as Indian teams took on the British coloniers in battles which attracted massive crowds.
There are many in India who describe cricket as an Indian sport which was accidentally founded in England.
It’s the only sport, which was founded in the West, whose heart is now found on the Indian sub-continent.
India is a country which is always on the lookout for the next generation of its cricket stars and there will be tens of millions of eyeballs on the team which will take on the English in Harare today.
After all, the Indians still remember that it was at this tournament that a teenage Kohli announced his arrival on the big stage by captaining his country to World Cup glory in Malaysia in 2008.
The Indian Express newspaper described Kohli and his teammates as “a bunch of inspired teenagers who changed the way India played cricket all because of a young captain who commanded respect.
“They were a fun-loving bunch but obsessively driven to be the best in the world.”
The newspaper noted:
“Little Virat, whenever challenged or undermined, would raise his game to leave his rivals regretting the provocation.
“The few on the sidelines of the 2008 Under-19 World Cup final in Malaysia saw this trait early.
“They were also among the first to get a glimpse of the batting phenomenon and also the future of Indian cricket.
“It had started with a South African player mocking India’s very modest total during the mid-innings break.
“Skipper Virat, after a rousing speech in the dressing room, would lead a frenzied unit to the ground. Like a raging storm, they would destroy the rivals and scoop the Cup.
“A legend was born, one that would continue to grow in the years to come.”
This is a tournament that India, and more than a billion cricket fans in that country, take very seriously.
That’s why they are the most successful team in the history of the ICC Under-19 World Cup with five titles under their belt.
They have a chance to make it half-a-dozen World Cup titles in Harare today.
It’s their 10th final.
The final today is a repeat of the final in 2002 in Antigua.
England were bowled out for 189 in 44.5 overs.
James Rew scored 95 runs while Raj Bawa and Ravi Kumar took five and four wickets.
India chased down the target to reach 195/6 in 47.4 overs. The Indians were in the final again two years ago but after Australia posted a formidable 253/7, they could not respond and were bowled out for 174 in 43.5 overs.
Captain Ayush Mhatre now has the responsibility against an England side, who have also won all their games, led by Thomas Rew.
KEY INFORMATION (COURTESY OF CRICKET ADDICTOR)
TV Rights in India: Star Sports Network holds the television broadcast rights for the ICC Under 19 World Cup 2026 in India.
Live Streaming Platform in India: The matches will be live-streamed on the Jio Hotstar app and website. A subscription is required for online viewing.
How to watch the live telecast of the England U19 vs India U19 Final on television? Fans can watch the match live on the Star Sports Network channels.
How to live stream the match between England U19 and India U19 on mobile online? The match can be streamed live on the Jio Hotstar app and website with a valid subscription.
There is a slight forecast of light rain, which could cause minor interruptions. The temperature will be around 26°C during the day. There is a 35% chance of precipitation, so cloud cover will be present, but a washout is unlikely.
