Sports, Feb 7: India’s Under-19 cricket team received glowing tributes from across the global cricketing community after clinching a record sixth ICC U-19 World Cup title on February 6, sealing the tournament with a dominant and memorable final performance against England.
India wrapped up the championship in emphatic style, piling up a colossal 411 for nine before dismissing England for a modest total to register a crushing 100-run victory. The final was defined by an extraordinary innings from 14-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, who stunned the cricketing world with a blistering 175 off just 80 deliveries. His fearless strokeplay, marked by an array of sixes and boundaries, was widely described as one of the most remarkable knocks ever witnessed in the history of the Under-19 World Cup.
Former India captain Virat Kohli, who led the country to U-19 World Cup success in 2008, congratulated the young squad and highlighted India’s consistent dominance at the junior level. He said the triumph once again reflected the strength of India’s age-group cricket structure and praised the collective effort of the players and support staff.
India men’s head coach Gautam Gambhir also lauded the achievement, calling it a sign of what lies ahead for Indian cricket. He described the team’s success as evidence that the future is already taking shape.
Veteran off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin viewed the campaign as a snapshot of modern white-ball cricket, marked by confidence, aggression and bold intent. He remarked that performances like these underline how rapidly the game is evolving and hinted that traditional scoring benchmarks may soon be redefined.
Former spinner Harbhajan Singh described the title win as a commanding and comprehensive effort, congratulating the team for asserting itself so convincingly on the world stage.
India’s T20 captain Suryakumar Yadav reserved special admiration for Sooryavanshi, noting the composure and mentality required to deliver such an extraordinary performance in a World Cup final. He termed the innings exceptional and praised the youngster’s class under pressure.
International voices also joined the chorus of appreciation. South African fast bowling great Dale Steyn labelled Sooryavanshi a “wonder boy,” suggesting that the teenager’s trajectory could see him achieve major milestones at the professional level while still in his school years. Former West Indies pacer and commentator Ian Bishop said India’s U-19 side played with clarity, discipline and power throughout the tournament, fully deserving their place at the top.
India batter Mayank Agarwal highlighted the team’s fearless approach, describing their cricket as energetic and intent-driven. He said the title win reflected belief and skill, pointing towards a promising future for Indian cricket.
With an unbeaten campaign capped by a historic final, India’s latest U-19 World Cup triumph once again showcased the depth of talent in the country and reaffirmed the strength of its cricketing pipeline.
