Fourteen-year-old batting sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi produced a breathtaking innings of 175 off 80 balls to light up the ICC Under-19 World Cup 2026 final against England at Harare Sports Club.
The Indian opener became the youngest player to score the fastest-ever hundred in an ICC 50-over final. He then went on to register the fastest U-19 150, reaching the milestone in just 71 balls. His feat surpassed England’s Ben Mayes, who had earlier taken 98 balls at the same venue.
Sooryavanshi’s knock, studded with 15 fours and 15 sixes, showcased fearless stroke play. He raced to his first fifty in 32 balls and his second in only 23 balls, setting the tone for India’s dominance. Alongside captain Ayush Mhatre, he stitched a dazzling 142-run partnership in 19 overs, before Mhatre fell for 53 off 51 balls.
The young star’s innings ended when Manny Lumsden bowled a delivery that Thomas Rew caught, drawing applause from England players and leaving spectators in awe.
India, led by Mhatre, are chasing their sixth U-19 World Cup title in their 10th final appearance. England, captained by Rew, are aiming for their second title, having last won in 1998. Both teams entered the final undefeated.
India’s semifinal victory against Afghanistan featured a historic chase of 311 runs, the highest-ever in U-19 World Cup history, anchored by Aaron George’s 115 and fifties from Sooryavanshi and Mhatre. England’s semifinal win over Australia was powered by Rew’s 110, while their bowlers restricted Oliver Peake despite his 100 off 88 balls.
