India eye record sixth U19 World Cup title against England

India will face England in the ICC Under-19 World Cup final in Harare, aiming for a record sixth title. Skipper Ayush Mhatre, opener Aaron George and prodigy Vaibhav Sooryavanshi lead India’s charge against England’s pace spearhead Manny Lumsden

Harare: In pursuit of a record-extending sixth title, the Indian Under-19 cricket team will bank on its swashbuckling batting line-up when it takes on a gritty England in what promises to be an evenly matched summit clash of the ICC Under-19 World Cup here on Friday.

India’s successful chase of a massive total to humble Afghanistan in the semifinal, where skipper Ayush Mhatre and opener Aaron George finally produced innings of substance, augurs well for the five-time champions aiming to regain the trophy they last lifted in 2022.

---

India have shown tremendous resolve from the very first group match against the United States. In the semifinal, they decimated a hardened Afghanistan side to maintain a blemish-free record despite chasing a 300-plus target.

They now face another unbeaten team in England, who reached this stage after knocking out defending champions Australia.

India’s batting prodigy Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, who turns 15 next month, has already struck three half-centuries. A blazing century in the final could be the driving force that propels India to the title. But he will need to be cautious against England’s strong pace battery led by Manny Lumsden, who has been pivotal to their campaign.

India’s record in the finals of the global age-group tournament has been impressive. This marks their 10th appearance in the summit clash. Having beaten England in their only previous final meeting in the 2022 West Indies edition, history is also on their side.

The return to form of Mhatre, who broke his half-century drought in the semifinal, has given India plenty to cheer about. Adding more heft is a solid middle order with Vihaan Malhotra contributing fine innings and wicketkeeper-batter Abhigyan Kundu proving his worth with two half-centuries and assured work behind the stumps.

India’s pace attack of Deepesh Devendran, Henil Patel and RS Ambrish has stood up well, but the challenge could be sterner against an England side that thrives on pace. India may therefore lean more on their spin duo of Kanishk Chouhan and Khilan Patel for control, depending on pitch conditions.

England will rely heavily on prolific run-getters Ben Mayes, who has scored 399 runs including a highest of 191, and skipper Thomas Rew, who has tallied 299 runs with a century and two unbeaten fifties. Their openers, Ben Dawkins and Joseph Moores, have struggled.

On the bowling front, Lumsden has been incisive with 15 wickets, supported by right-arm quick Sebastian Morgan and left-armer James Minto. England are bidding for their second U19 World Cup title, the first coming in 1998.

 

Teams (from):

England: Thomas Rew (c, wk), Ralphie Albert, Ali Farooq, Ben Dawkins, Caleb Falconer, Farhan Ahmed, Alex French, Alex Green, Luke Hands, Isaac Mohammed, Manny Lumsden, Ben Mayes, James Minto, Joseph Moores, Sebastian Morgan.

India: Ayush Mhatre (c), Vihaan Malhotra, Aaron George, RS Ambrish, Kanishk Chouhan, Deepesh Devendran, Henil Patel, Khilan Patel, Abhigyan Kundu (wk), Mohamed Enaan, Udhav Mohan, Harvansh Pangalia, Kishan Singh, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Vedant Trivedi.

Match starts at 1:00 pm.