The Harare Sports Club in Zimbabwe witnessed a cricketing demolition on Friday, February 6, 2026 , that will be talked about for generations. In the final of the ICC Under-19 Men’s Cricket World Cup 2026 , a 14-year-old prodigy from Bihar named Vaibhav Sooryavanshi didn't just play an innings; he conducted a masterclass in modern aggressive batting. His commanding 175 off 80 balls turned a high-stakes final into a celebratory procession, as India dismantled England by 100 runs to lift their record-extending sixth U19 World Cup title . From the first ball, it was evident that this Indian side, led by the tactically astute Ayush Mhatre , was on a mission to reclaim the crown they narrowly missed in 2024. Remaining undefeated throughout the tournament, India’s "Teen Titans" proved that the pipeline of Indian cricket is not just healthy—it is flourishing. 1. The Masterclass of a 14-Year-Old Prodigy The headline of the day belonged to Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. At just 14, an age where most teenagers are navigating middle school, Sooryavanshi was busy carving the English bowling attack into pieces. Opening the batting after India won the toss and elected to bat, he showed a level of "permanence" on the crease that belied his age. Sooryavanshi’s 175 came off just 80 deliveries , a strike rate of 218.75 . To put this in perspective, he reached his half-century in 32 balls, his century in 53 balls, and his 150 in a staggering 71 balls. He smashed 15 fours and 15 sixes , equating to 150 runs coming solely from boundaries. This wasn't just slogging; it was precision hitting that left England’s captain, Thomas Rew, searching for answers that didn't exist. Source : TIE A Star is Born: Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s record-breaking 175 runs in the final is now the highest individual score in the history of U19 World Cup finals. 2. Shattering Records in the Sun Sooryavanshi’s innings was a statistical anomaly. By scoring 175, he shattered the long-standing record held by Unmukt Chand , who scored 111* in the 2012 final against Australia. Highest Score in a Final: 175 (Previous: 111 by Unmukt Chand). Most Sixes in an Edition: He finished the tournament with 30 sixes , shattering the previous record of 22 set by South Africa’s Dewald Brevis in 2022. Highest Individual Score for India U19: Surpassed Raj Bawa’s 162* against Uganda. Youth ODI Legend: This 175 is the highest individual score in any ICC tournament final—beating even the legendary Alyssa Healy’s 170 in the Women’s ODI World Cup 2022 final. 3. The Supporting Cast: Mhatre and the 411 Total While Sooryavanshi provided the fireworks, captain Ayush Mhatre played the role of the stabilizing anchor. Mhatre’s 53 off 51 balls provided a solid platform and allowed Sooryavanshi to play with absolute freedom. The pair added 142 runs for the second wicket, effectively taking the match away from England in the first 20 overs. Despite a minor middle-order collapse, Kanishk Chouhan’s late-inning cameo of 37 off 20 balls ensured India crossed the 400-mark. India finished at 411/9 in 50 overs , the highest-ever total recorded in a U19 World Cup final. Mountain of Runs: India’s total of 411/9 is the highest score ever recorded in an ICC U19 World Cup final. 4. The English Resistance: Caleb Falconer’s Valiant Century Chasing a target of 412, England showed spirit that deserves respect. Opener Ben Dawkins (66) and Ben Mayes (45) gave England a positive start, reaching 93/1. However, the scoreboard pressure eventually led to a collapse where they lost six wickets for just 84 runs. The lone warrior for England was Caleb Falconer , who struck a brilliant 115 off 67 balls . Falconer’s assault kept India’s celebrations on hold as he kept finding gaps and clearing the ropes. His century ensured England avoided a total embarrassment, but the target was always a mountain too high to climb. 5. The Bowling Masterclass: Ambrish and Chouhan India’s bowling attack was as disciplined as their batting was aggressive. RS Ambrish was the pick of the bowlers, finishing with figures of 3/56 . He provided the crucial breakthrough of Joseph Moores early on and returned to clean up the middle order. The final rites were performed by Kanishk Chouhan , who dismissed a fighting Falconer to end the innings. England was eventually bundled out for 311 in 40.2 overs , giving India a 100-run victory—the largest margin by runs in a U19 World Cup final history. The Clinchers: India’s bowling unit remained disciplined throughout the tournament, never allowing the opposition to sustain momentum. 6. Real-World Context: From Grassroots to Global Dominance India's dominance in U19 cricket (winning in 2000, 2008, 2012, 2018, 2022, and now 2026) is no accident. It is a direct result of the BCCI’s commitment to grassroots development. Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, hailing from Bihar’s Samastipur, is a product of this vast ecosystem. Already holding an IPL contract with Rajasthan Royals , Sooryavanshi has been fast-tracked after showing immens