India clinched a record sixth Under-19 World Cup title, thrashing England in the final of the ICC Under-19 Men’s Cricket World Cup Zimbabwe & Namibia 2026 powered by Vaibhav Suryavanshi's explosive 175 off 80 balls. Abhinav Mukund, Aakash Chopra and former U-19 World Cup-winning Captain Unmukt Chand hailed Suryavanshi's dominance, Captain Ayush Mhatre's promise, and the need for patience in their senior transitions.
Former U-19 World Cup-winning Captain Unmukt Chand spoke about India’s historic win:
"Abhigyan Kundu mentioned in the post-match presentation that India, as a team, out-batted England and its true. The toss was very important. Captain Ayush Mathre called it right. He won the toss and decided to bat first. It was a big final. You want runs on the board, and the celebration afterward is also needed. Look at the kind of innings Vaibhav Suryavanshi played in this final against a side like England. We don't expect that in a final. You think a player might be careful, especially after losing a wicket like Aaron George in the first three overs. He had to build a partnership and anchor. Vaibhav Suryavanshi proved why he is the next big thing in Indian cricket."
On the importance of staying patient before moving to the senior level:
"This Under-19 World Cup win is a very special moment for these boys. It will take time for things to settle down. My personal advice to all these young cricketers is to stay patient. I know people want them to play senior cricket for the country soon, but it can be a bumpy road. Good things will happen, but not always immediately. You have to stay calm, be patient, and keep working hard. Even if things do not go your way, that is okay. It is part of the game. Not everyone will play for the country but stay passionate and stay hungry. I am sure great things will happen."
Abhinav Mukund highlighted the strength of India's talent pipeline:
"The domestic cricket structure in India is set up incredibly well. We heard India Under-19 Coach Hrishikesh Kanitkar praising the BCCI's centre in Bengaluru in the post-match interview and in a country like India, people take cricket as a professional sport from a very young age. Unlike other teams in this World Cup who are still figuring out if they want to play full-time or take it up as a profession, this India Under-19 team are already professional cricketers. They have made that choice in life and put their best foot forward to be where they are. The Vaibhav Suryavanshi show has not sunk in yet. I think we are underestimating what he has done with his knock of 175 runs in a final. I don't think this will happen ever again, at least not in the near future. What we have seen is unbelievable. Scoring 175 runs in an Under-19 World Cup final against a strong England side, is just unbelievable."
On the promising future of Captain Ayush Mhatre:
"The good thing for Ayush Mhatre is that he is already playing for Mumbai in first-class cricket. It is a very tough team to get into. Many of these young players find it difficult to get into their state sides, but he is already a certainty in Mumbai's domestic setup, especially in white-ball cricket. He has already played for India A. This is how Indian cricket works: if they see potential, they give you a fast pass. You get to play in these tournaments and go on India A tours to places like England, Australia, and South Africa for more exposure. By the time Ayush is 22 or 23, he will likely have played four seasons of IPL and that will be the case with other Under-19 players as well because by the time these Under-19 boys are 24–25 years old, they will be experienced cricketers who know every situation. That is where the responsibility lies with the backroom staff and the people running Indian cricket. The potential is definitely there. For certain players, especially Ayush Mhatre, the only way forward is up."
Aakash Chopra explained what made Vaibhav Suryavanshi's performance so special:
"Vaibhav Suryavanshi got out in the 26th over and he had already scored 175 runs by then. When he was dismissed, the team’s score was 250 runs. Out of 250, he single-handedly scored 175. That is massive. This innings showed the kind of talent he is blessed with. The India Under-19 players are raising the bar. Not every ball he hits is a six; he also gets beaten sometimes. But his ability to forget the last ball, or to not feel pressure in a final, is a special skill. You could say you are born with skills, but they also need to be honed. It is a mindset where you feel no one can stop you. That kind of confidence is enviable. At such a young age of 14, nothing seems to matter to Vaibhav Suryavanshi. First the semifinal against Afghanistan, then the final against England, to turn a match single-handedly like that tells you how beautiful India's cricket future is."
