Online Reporter
Don Makanyanga
India battle it out with England in a much anticipated 2026 ICC U-19 Men’s World Cup final at Harare Sports Club this morning.
India have won the toss and elected to bat first.
Their captain, Ayush Mhatre said his team will stick to a simple game in their quest to lift the trophy.
“We will just play a natural and simple game and not complicate things,” he said.
England’s captain Thoms Rew said his team is ready for the challenge.
“We are raring to go and it’s about how we can quickly adapt to circumstances. We are just taking the pressure off the boys,” said Rew.
Wicket
An early break from England. They get their first wicket
Aaron George is dismissed after being caught out by Alex Green from a Sebastian Morgan delivery.
India 20-1 after 4 overs.
India vs England
10 overs up, and India are 79-1.
Wicket
The second-wicket partnership between Ayushs Mhatre and Vaibav Sooryavanshi has been broken after 18.6 overs.
Mhatre is out after being caught by Ben Mayes off Alex Green.
India are 162-2 after 19 overs.
Wicket
The second-wicket partnership between Ayushs Mhatre and Vaibav Sooryavanshi has been broken after 18.6 overs.
Mhatre is out after being caught out by Ben Mayes of a an Alex Green.
India are 162-2 after 19 overs.
Wicket
A big wicket for England and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has been dismissed.
The Indian big hitter is out for 175 runs off 80 balls. He is caught behind wickets by wicket-keeper Thomas Rew of a Lumsden delivery.
India are now 251-3 after 25.3 overs
Wicket
England have claimed their fourth wicket of the day here at Harare Sports Club.
Vihaan Malhotra is caught out by Dawkins off a Minto delivery.
India are now 302-4 after 34.2 overs.
Wicket
Minto strikes again for Engalnd.
He claims his second wicket of the day with the dismissal of Vedant Trivedi.
Trivedi is caught out by Mayes of Minto’s delivery.
India are now 308-5 after 36.3 overs.
Wicket
India have lost their sixth wicket of the day.
Kundu is sent back to the pavillion after being caught out by Ralphie Albert from a Morgan delivery.
India are now 359-6 after 44.4 overs.
Wicket
Minto bowls out RS Ambrish.
India are now 375-8 after 46.4 overs.
India sets huge target for England
India has set a massive target of 412 runs for England to win the title.
This historic total was anchored by a record-breaking performance from 14-year-old batting prodigy Vaibhav Suryavanshi, who smashed 175 runs off just 80 balls.
England is now facing a daunting task, as the highest successful chase in U-19 World Cup history prior to this was 311.
They are chasing their first title since 1998, while India is looking for a record-extending sixth trophy.
India win!!!
India have been crowned the 2026 ICC Men’s U-19 World Cup champions following a 100-run victory over Engalnd at Harare Sports Club.
The victory marks India’s sixth title in 11 final appearances, extending their record as the most successful nation in the tournament’s history.
After winning the toss, India chose to bat first.
The victory marks India’s sixth title in 11 final appearances, extending their record as the most successful nation in the tournament’s history.
India’a 14-year-old Vaibhav Suryavanshi delivered a historic masterclass, scoring a massive 175 off 80 balls and setting a new record of highest score in a U-19 World Cup final.
His score propelled India to a total of 411 runs in 50 overs.
Chasing a target of 412, England refused to go down without a fight.
Despite losing opener Joseph Moores (17) early, Ben Dawkins (66) and Ben Mayes (45) kept the scoreboard ticking with aggressive strokeplay.
England were momentarily in the hunt at 171/3 after 20 overs, but a middle-order collapse triggered by Indian captain Mhatre and spinner Deepesh Devendran saw them slip to 177/7.
England’s Caleb Falconer played a lone hand of defiance, smashing a spectacular 115 off 67 balls.
Falconer’s counter-attacking century briefly threatened to make the contest close, but he ran out of partners as India’s bowlers maintained their discipline under pressure.
