India piled on a record total in the Under-19 World Cup final as 14-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi produced a breathtaking display of power-hitting against England at the Harare Sports Club in Zimbabwe on Friday (February 6).
Riding on Suryavanshi’s whirlwind 175 off just 80 balls, India went past 411 for 9 in 50 overs, the highest team total in the 28-year history of Under-19 World Cup finals.
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Vaibhav Sooryavanshi ’s record-breaking blitz
Playing his first Under-19 World Cup final at just 14, the left-handed opener from Bihar tore into the England attack, bringing up his century in only 55 balls. It was the fastest hundred by an Indian in Under-19 World Cup history and the first by an Indian batter in under 60 balls at the tournament.
His knock included 15 fours and 5 sixes, at a strike rate of over 218. Suryavanshi also recorded the second-fastest century in Under-19 World Cup history and finished the tournament with a record 30 sixes, surpassing Dewald Brevis’s previous mark of 18.
Late surge lifts India past 400
India, appearing in their sixth consecutive final since 2016 and aiming for a record sixth title, reached 250 inside 25 overs largely due to Suryavanshi’s assault. However, England clawed back in the second half of the innings, conceding only 161 runs in the final 25 overs while picking up seven wickets.
India still finished strongly, adding 35 runs in the last three overs, with Kanishk Chouhan smashing 18 off the final over bowled by James Minto. Ayush Mhatre scored 53, Abhigyan Kundu made 40, while England’s Minto led the bowling with 3 for 45.
Despite the late slowdown, England face a daunting chase on a flat, batter-friendly Harare pitch and will need an extraordinary innings to challenge India.
