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The ICC U-19 Men’s Cricket World Cup has reached its grand finale. After weeks of thrilling contests, the two best teams of the tournament are left standing. On Friday, the undefeated India U-19 side will take on a formidable England U-19 unit at the Harare Sports Club. For India, this is a chance to extend their dominance with a record-extending sixth title. For England, it is an opportunity to reclaim the crown they narrowly missed in 2022 and etch their names in history.

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India has been a juggernaut in this tournament. The "Boys in Blue," led by Ayush Mhatre, have steamrolled every opponent in their path. They marched into the finals after a record-breaking chase against Afghanistan in the semi-finals. Chasing a massive target of 311, India made it look easy, winning by 7 wickets thanks to a brilliant century by Aaron George and a fiery start by Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. Their batting depth and adaptability have been their biggest strengths.

England, on the other hand, has been equally impressive. They enter the final unbeaten, having conquered their arch-rivals Australia in a tense "Youth Ashes" semi-final. Captain Thomas Rew led from the front with a magnificent century, guiding his team to a competitive total of 277 before their bowlers held their nerve to secure a 27-run victory. England has shown immense resilience, winning clutch moments when it mattered most.

This final is a rematch of the 2022 U-19 World Cup summit clash, where India defeated England to lift the trophy. While India holds the historical edge in U-19 encounters, this England side looks far more balanced and dangerous. Both teams are unbeaten in this edition, making this a true "Clash of the Titans."

Key Players to Watch - India

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi: The 14-year-old prodigy is the talk of the town. His explosive 68 off just 33 balls in the semi-final broke the back of the chase. He will look to dominate the English pacers right from the start.

Aaron George: The hero of the semi-final. His composed 115 runs against Afghanistan proved he can handle high-pressure situations. He provides stability at the top of the order.

Ayush Mhatre (C): The captain has been back in form as of late. Apart from his tactical acumen, his batting in the middle order ensures India never loses momentum.

Henil Patel: India's go-to bowler. He has been a wicket-taking machine throughout the tournament and will be crucial in breaking England's strong partnerships.

Key Players to Watch - England

Thomas Rew (C & WK): The captain is the heartbeat of this English side. Coming off a match-winning 110 against Australia, he is in sublime form and can take the game away single-handedly.

Farhan Ahmed: The spinner has been weaving a web around batsmen all tournament. In the middle overs, his control and ability to pick wickets will be vital against India’s spin-savvy batters.

Sebastian Morgan: An impactful all-rounder who delivered with the ball in the semi-finals. His ability to strike early and bowl tight spells makes him a key asset.

Caleb Falconer: He played a crucial supporting hand in the semi-final and provided the necessary balance to the English middle order.

Expected Playing XI

India U-19

Aaron George, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Ayush Mhatre (C), Vedant Trivedi, Vihaan Malhotra, Abhigyan Kundu (WK), RS Ambrish, Kanishk Chouhan, Khilan Patel, Henil Patel, Deepesh Devendran.

England U-19

Thomas Rew (C & WK), Ben Dawkins, Joe Moores, Ben Mayes, Caleb Falconer, Farhan Ahmed, Sebastian Morgan, James Minto, Ralphie Albert, Manny Lumsden, Alex French.

Match Details: India vs England, Final

Date: Friday, February 6, 2026

Time: 1:00 PM IST (9:30 AM Local Time)

Venue: Harare Sports Club, Harare, Zimbabwe

Weather Forecast

The weather in Harare is expected to be partly cloudy but pleasant for cricket. Temperatures will be around 25°C. While there is a slight chance of afternoon showers, fans will hope the rain gods stay away for this blockbuster clash.

Pitch Report

The pitch at the Harare Sports Club has been good for batting, but it offers assistance to everyone. Pacers can expect some movement with the new ball, while spinners will come into play as the game progresses. In a high-pressure final, runs on the board are gold. The captain winning the toss is likely to bat first and aim for a score above 270.

India vs England, U-19 WC Final Streaming Details

TV: Star Sports Network

Live Streaming: JioHotstar