Nita Ambani congratulates Indian team on ICC U19 World Cup title win
Mumbai, February 6
Reliance Foundation founder-chairperson Nita Ambani congratulated the India Under-19 cricket team on winning the ICC U19 World Cup title on Friday.
India U19 defeated England U19 by 100 runs in the final to lift the ICC Under-19 World Cup 2026, securing their sixth title in Harare, Zimbabwe. The young Indian side produced a record-breaking performance in a high-octane final.
Electing to bat first, India posted an imposing 411/9, with Vaibhav Suryavanshi smashing a scintillating 175 off just 80 balls, hitting 15 fours and 15 sixes. Captain Ayush Mhatre added 53 runs from 51 balls, while Abhigyan Kundu contributed a brisk 40 off 31 balls. England's Caleb Falconer fought valiantly with 115 runs, but the visitors fell short of the mammoth 412-run target.
Congratulating the young India side, she said, "Heartiest congratulations to our Boys in Blue on winning the ICC U19 World Cup for a record sixth time -- a truly historic and inspiring achievement. You have played with courage, discipline, and belief beyond your years. This triumph is not just a trophy -- it is a powerful signal of the spirit of Young India: fearless in ambition, united in teamwork, and relentless in pursuit of excellence. May this victory be the beginning of many greater milestones ahead. The future of Indian cricket shines brighter because of you."
This triumph in Zimbabwe further consolidates India's position as the most successful nation in the history of the tournament and completes a rare double, with India currently holding both the ICC Under-19 Men's and Women's World Cup titles.
India's dominant performance also set a new record for sixes in a Youth ODI final, hitting 31 sixes -- well clear of the previous record of 23. The victory adds to India's Under-19 World Cup wins in 2000, 2008, 2012, 2018, and 2022, while England are yet to win their second title since 1998.
Brief Scores: India: 411/9 (Vaibhav Suryavanshi 175, Ayush Mhatre 53, James Minto 3/63) beat England: 311 (Caleb Falconer 115, Ben Dawkins 66, RS Ambrish 3/56).
— ANI
Reader Comments
So proud of our young champions! Holding both the men's and women's U19 World Cups is a testament to the depth of talent in our country. The pipeline from junior to senior teams looks stronger than ever.
While the win is fantastic, I hope the BCCI manages these young talents properly. We've seen many U19 stars fade away due to pressure or poor management. They need guidance, not just praise.
As someone who follows cricket globally, this Indian dominance at the youth level is remarkable. 31 sixes in a final! That's pure entertainment and power. England put up a fight, but India was just too good.
Bas, zabardast! The sixth title! The batting was fearless, just like Nita Ambani said. This generation plays without the baggage we sometimes saw in the past. They believe they can win from any situation.
Congratulations to Team India! It's great to see such sportsmanship and skill on display. Caleb Falconer's century for England was also commendable. A fantastic final for the neutral fan.
Heartwarming to see messages from figures like Nita Ambani. It shows the
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