Mhatre joins the league of Kohli and Kaif, continuing a rich legacy

India Under-19s have further strengthened their legacy in youth cricket by claiming the ICC Under-19 Men’s World Cup 2026 title for a record-extending sixth time. The young Indians defeated England U19 by 100 runs in a commanding final at Harare Sports Club on Friday, showcasing dominance with both bat and ball.

Batting first, India posted a colossal 411 for 9 in 50 overs, propelled by a sensational innings from teenage opener Vaibhav Suryavanshi, who smashed 175 runs off just 80 balls, including 15 fours and 15 sixes. Captain Ayush Mhatre anchored the innings with a composed 53, while Kanishk Chouhan added late fireworks of 37 not out to ensure India crossed the 400-run mark. England mounted a spirited chase, with Caleb Falconer scoring 115 and early contributions from Ben Dawkins and Ben Mayes, but regular wickets in the middle overs derailed their pursuit. India’s bowlers, led by Deepesh Devendran and supported by Mhatre and Chouhan, shared the workload effectively, dismissing England for 311 for 9 in 40.1 overs.

This victory adds another milestone to India’s rich Under-19 cricket legacy, highlighting the depth and strength of the country’s youth system. A glance at the tournament’s history shows India’s consistent success, with a stellar list of past captains who have led their sides to glory: Mohammad Kaif (2000), Virat Kohli (2008), Unmukt Chand (2012), Prithvi Shaw (2018), Yash Dhull (2022), and now Ayush Mhatre (2026).

The 2026 triumph not only cements India’s status as a powerhouse in age-group cricket but also underscores a tradition of producing world-class leaders at the youth level, who have gone on to inspire and dominate on the global stage. (With inputs from Agencies)