NEW DELHI: Cricket’s newest wunderkind Vaibhav Sooryavanshi produced what will go down as one of the most breathtaking knocks in U-19 World Cup history, powering India to a record-extending sixth title with a commanding 100-run win over England in the final on Friday. Sooryavanshi’s sensational 80-ball 175, laced with a record 15 sixes and 15 fours, catapulted India to a massive 411 for 9 after England chose to bowl first. 𝗖.𝗛.𝗔.𝗠.𝗣.𝗜.𝗢.𝗡.𝗦 🏆Congratulations to India U19 on winning the ICC Men's U19 World Cup 2026 👏👏Their historic 6⃣th title 🫡Take. A. Bow 🙇Scorecard ▶️ https://t.co/hisult7mtv #U19WorldCup pic.twitter.com/5a0Pf4wpTw — BCCI (@BCCI) February 6, 2026 Bruised by the relentless onslaught, England were eventually bowled out for 311 in 40.2 overs, falling well short of the improbable target of 412 against a disciplined Indian bowling unit. Caleb Falconer emerged as England’s standout performer, smashing a superb 115 off 67 balls, an innings that stood out even in defeat and helped reduce the margin. Records Tumble as 14-Year-Old Rewrites History Earlier, the 14-year-old prodigy raced to his hundred in just 55 balls, becoming the second fastest centurion in the history of the competition and producing a knock that will be remembered for generations. India’s triumph underlined their continued dominance in age-group cricket, built on a strong domestic structure, a vast talent pool, advanced coaching systems, quality preparation, and an enduring passion for the game among the country’s youth. India had last lifted the trophy in 2022, and once they crossed the 400-run mark in the final, the outcome appeared inevitable, with the bowlers backing up the batters collectively. In some ways, the achievement evoked memories of past iconic Indian U-19 sides featuring the likes of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, but this team led by Ayush Mhatre carved its own identity, marked by sheer ruthlessness — a trait best embodied by Sooryavanshi. Boundary Barrage Turns Final One-Sided Sooryavanshi’s innings now stands as the highest individual score in a U-19 World Cup final, while India’s 411 is also the biggest total ever in a summit clash. The opener exploded when it mattered most, reaching his fifty in just 32 balls and adding the next fifty in a mere 23 deliveries, leaving the English bowlers helpless. An astonishing 150 of his 175 runs came in boundaries, as he repeatedly cleared the ropes and turned the Harare Sports Club into his personal playground. He now owns the record for most sixes in a Youth ODI innings, surpassing his own tally of 14 maximums against UAE in Dubai last December. A Knock for the Ages Seals India’s Dominance Sooryavanshi also registered the fastest 150 in U-19 cricket, reaching the landmark in 71 balls, eclipsing the previous record held by England’s Ben Mayes. To put his dominance into perspective, teammate Vedant Trivedi faced only four balls between Sooryavanshi’s celebrations of his hundred and his 150. At the halfway stage, India were scoring close to 10 runs per over, with projections briefly touching the 500-run mark. The innings finally ended in the 26th over when the youngster from Samastipur, Bihar, attempted a scoop off Manny Lumsden and was caught behind by Thomas Rew, prompting England players to rush in and congratulate him for an innings rarely seen in a World Cup final. Sooryavanshi added 142 runs in just 19 overs with skipper Ayush Mhatre, who made a fluent 53 off 51 balls. Across the tournament, Sooryavanshi hammered 22 sixes, eclipsing Dewald Brevis’ long-standing record of 18 set in 2022, and also became the youngest centurion in tournament history. England’s bowlers had a torrid outing, with Ralphie Albert and Farhad Ahmed conceding 27 and 22 runs respectively in single overs, while Manny Lumsden leaked 81 runs in eight overs and Sebastian Morgan went for 74 in nine. After Sooryavanshi’s dismissal, useful contributions from Abhigyan Kundu (40), Vedant Trivedi (32), Vihaan Malhotra (30) and Kanishk Chouhan (37) ensured England were never allowed to wrest back control. (With PTI Inputs)