The Indian under-19 team has secured their place in the finals, defeating Afghanistan in the semis. Batting first, Afghanistan outplayed Indian bowlers, posting 310 runs, but the Indian boys had a better reply. Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, with his fast scoring ability, gave the Indian team a solid start, and captain Ayush Mhatre finally stepped up stimulate the innings, scoring a steady 62 of 59 balls. From the start, one player stood calm, named Aaron George, when others hammered sixes and fours, he stayed firm with his game and technique, and with this, India found their second centurion of the tournament. Aaron George hammered 115 runs on 104 balls with the help of 15 fours and two sixes, helping the Indian team to take one step closer to the trophy. India will face England in the finals at Harare on 6th February.
Who is Aaron George?
After playing the man of the match innings, Aaron George said in the post-match presentation, “I think I was very grateful that I got the opportunity to do this, and also a crucial game for the team, so very happy to be able to contribute. I knew that I've been batting well throughout, so the conversion, as you told, didn't matter. And yeah, very happy, and I'm happy I trusted that I had this coming and kept believing in my batting.”
Also Read । Sanju out, Ishan in: key takeaways you must know from India’s heavyweight warm-up clash
Coming from Hyderabad, Aaron George is known for his composure and technique, whose calm temperament and family support have shaped his rise to the spotlight. Before the 2026 Under-19 World Cup, he spoke about taking success and failure in stride, an attitude visible in his unbeaten 115 off 104 balls that anchored India’s record 311-run chase against Afghanistan in the semifinal in Harare.
Born to a supportive family with strong academic values, George grew up balancing sport with studies. His father, a former aspiring cricketer, left his police job to nurture Aaron’s talent, while his mother, a mathematics teacher, managed practical needs and travel to matches. George’s journey began in childhood, when he practised diligently with smaller balls and worked his way through Hyderabad’s age-group ranks.
In Harare, his celebrations were measured, not exuberant, reflecting maturity beyond his years. George describes himself as “God-loving” rather than superstitious, and credits his family’s encouragement for keeping him focused. This blend of calm confidence and disciplined training has helped him deliver on big stages and emerge as India’s U-19 semifinal hero.
