In a display of sheer dominance and maturity, the India Under-19 cricket team advanced to the final of the ICC Men’s U19 World Cup 2026 with a convincing seven-wicket victory over Afghanistan in the second semi-final at Harare Sports Club.
Chasing a formidable target of 311 set by Afghanistan, India cruised home in just 41.1 overs, thanks to a scintillating century from Aaron George and explosive contributions from openers Vaibhav Suryavanshi and captain Ayush Mhatre.
Afghanistan, having won the toss and elected to bat, posted an imposing 310/4 in their 50 overs, powered by contrasting centuries from Faisal Shinozada and Uzairullah Niazai.
The Afghan batters capitalised on a batting-friendly pitch, scoring 111 runs in the final 10 overs to set what seemed like a challenging total. Osman Sadat and Khalid Ahmadzai provided a solid foundation with an opening partnership, while the middle order accelerated aggressively, testing India’s bowling attack.
However, India’s response was clinical and unflinching. Young opener Vaibhav Suryavanshi set the tone with a blistering 68 off fewer than 50 balls, smashing boundaries at will and putting the Afghan bowlers under immediate pressure.
Captain Ayush Mhatre complemented him perfectly with a composed 62, ensuring the chase remained on track despite an early wicket. But it was Aaron George who stole the show, anchoring the innings with an unbeaten 115 – his second Youth ODI hundred – guiding India to victory with plenty of overs to spare.
George’s knock was a masterclass in controlled aggression, achieving the feat during this high-stakes encounter and drawing praise from commentators for his maturity under pressure.
This win extends India’s unbeaten streak in the tournament to six matches, including dominant victories over the USA, Bangladesh, New Zealand, Zimbabwe, and arch-rivals Pakistan in the Super Six stage.
The five-time champions, led by the confident Ayush Mhatre, have shown remarkable improvement with each game, as highlighted by the skipper himself in post-match comments. “We’re getting better every match, and the boys are stepping up when it matters,” Mhatre said.
Afghanistan, despite the loss, can hold their heads high for a spirited performance. Their batting fireworks made this the highest score India has successfully chased in a U19 World Cup knockout match. However, fielding lapses and an inability to break partnerships cost them dearly, as noted by fans and analysts alike.
Now, India sets its sights on a rematch with England in the final, scheduled for February 8 in Bulawayo. England edged out New Zealand in the first semi-final, promising a thrilling contest between two cricketing powerhouses. With young talents like Suryavanshi and George shining brightly, India enters as favourites to claim a record sixth U19 World Cup title.
The tournament, hosted across Zimbabwe and Namibia, has showcased emerging stars from around the globe, but India’s consistent performances have made them the team to beat. As the final approaches, cricket enthusiasts worldwide eagerly await what could be another chapter in India’s rich U19 legacy.
