A commanding century from Vaibhav Suryavanshi and a disciplined bowling performance helped India U-19 outplay England by 100 runs to clinch the title at the Harare Sports Club.
Put in to bat, India lost Aaron George early for 9 but recovered through a confident second-wicket stand between Suryavanshi and Ayush Mhatre. The pair took the attack to the English bowlers, adding 142 runs in 15 overs. Mhatre fell for 53 off 51 balls, mistiming a pull, but the innings had already been set up.
From there, Suryavanshi took complete control. He brought up his hundred in 55 balls, raced to 150 off 71 deliveries and finished with a remarkable 175 off 80 balls, striking 15 fours and 15 sixes. At the time of his dismissal, India were scoring close to 10 an over.
India slowed briefly after his departure but continued to build through Vedant Trivedi, who made 32, Vihaan Malhotra with 30 and RS Ambrish with 18. Kanishk Chouhan’s late 37 off 20 balls ensured a strong finish as India posted 411 for 9.
James Minto led England’s bowling with figures of 3 for 63, while Sebastian Morgan and Alex Green took two wickets each. Manny Lumsden claimed the key wicket of Suryavanshi.
Chasing 412 in a knockout match, England lost Joseph Moores early but responded through the Ben Mayes and Ben Dawkins partnership. The pair added 74 runs for the second wicket before Mayes was dismissed for 45 off 28 balls. Skipper Thomas Rew then joined Dawkins and scored a quick 31 off 18.
Dawkins looked England’s main hope, reaching 66 off 56 balls, but the game turned when Ayush Mhatre brought himself on and removed him. Ralphie Albert was run out soon after, and Deepesh Devendran struck twice in the next over to dismiss Farhan Ahmed and Sebastian Morgan, leaving England at 177 for 7.
Caleb Falconer kept England in the contest with an aggressive counterattack. He added 92 runs for the eighth wicket with Minto, reached his fifty in 26 balls and later went on to score a fine hundred off 63 deliveries. Falconer was eventually caught for 115 off 67 balls as England were bowled out for 311.
RS Ambrish returned figures of 3 for 56, while Devendran and Chouhan took two wickets each. Mhatre and Khilan Patel picked up a wicket apiece as India sealed a comprehensive victory.
