Punjab Newsline,Sports :
Record-breaking century by Vaibhav Sooryavanshi powers India to sixth U-19 World Cup title with 100-run win over England
India’s Under-19 men’s cricket team once again asserted its dominance on the global stage by clinching the ICC U-19 Men’s Cricket World Cup title. In the final played at the Harare Sports Club on Friday, India defeated England by a commanding margin of 100 runs to lift the trophy for a record-extending sixth time. Former India head coach Ravi Shastri lauded the young side for the manner in which they handled pressure, saying they played like seasoned professionals on the biggest stage.
The star of India’s emphatic victory was 14-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, who stunned the cricketing world with a breathtaking innings of 175 runs off just 80 balls. His explosive knock, featuring 15 fours and 15 sixes, is the highest individual score ever recorded in an ICC U-19 World Cup final. Captain Ayush Mhatre played a composed innings of 53 runs, while wicketkeeper Abhigyan Kundu added a valuable 40, helping India post a massive total of 411 for nine in their allotted overs.
Chasing a daunting target, England began positively but soon lost momentum as India’s bowlers applied sustained pressure. A middle-order collapse proved costly for England, undoing their early progress. Caleb Falconer fought hard with a brilliant knock of 115 runs, but the lack of support from the other batters meant England fell well short of the target, allowing India to seal a memorable and dominant victory.
Reacting to the triumph, Ravi Shastri shared his thoughts on social media, describing the win as special not only because of the result but also because of the composure and responsibility shown by the players. He highlighted the team’s temperament, unity, and ability to rise to crucial moments, stating that while talent draws attention, it is character and mindset that define long-term success. Shastri also expressed confidence that Indian cricket will hear much more about these young players in the years to come.
This title win completed a rare double for India, as the country currently holds both the ICC Under-19 Men’s and Women’s World Cup titles. Following the historic achievement, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced a total cash reward of Rs 7.5 crore for the U-19 World Cup–winning team, along with the technical staff and selection committee, further celebrating the nation’s rising cricketing stars.