India’s U-19 team secured a record sixth World Cup title after defeating England by 100 runs in the 2026 final in Harare. While ICC offers no prize money at the youth level, the BCCI announced a historic ₹7.5 crore reward for the champions.
BCCI Honors Young Champions With Massive Reward
New Delhi: India has once again proven its dominance in junior cricket. Under the captaincy of Ayush Mhatre, the Indian team won the ICC Men's Under-19 World Cup 2026 in Zimbabwe. In the final played in Harare, India defeated England by 100 runs to win the trophy for a record sixth time. Previously, India had also won the title in 2022 by defeating England.
Despite the title win, the Indian players received no financial reward from the ICC and returned with only medals. In fact, under-19 tournaments are considered crucial to the development of young players, so the ICC does not award cash prizes.
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Although no reward was received from the ICC, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced a reward of ₹7.5 crore for the team's historic victory. BCCI Secretary Devjit Saikia called it a proud moment for the entire country. This is the largest cash prize ever awarded at the under-19 level. Previously, the Indian team that won the Under-19 Women's World Cup in 2025 was awarded ₹5 crore.
In the final, India batted first and posted a mammoth total of 411 runs in 50 overs. 14-year-old Vaibhav Suryavanshi played a key role in this historic score. He played an explosive innings of 175 runs in just 80 balls, including 15 fours and 15 sixes. Vaibhav, who missed out on a century three times throughout the tournament, delivered his best performance in the biggest match.
Vaibhav Suryavanshi’s historic 175 powers India to record total in 2026 Under-19 World Cup final
Chasing a target of 411, England could only reach 311 runs despite a century from Caleb Faulkner. India won the match by 100 runs and claimed the title. Vaibhav Suryavanshi was named Player of the Match for his outstanding performance and Player of the Series for scoring 439 runs in the tournament.
This victory by the Indian team not only showcases the country's strength in junior cricket, but also provides a glimpse of the strong talent pool for the senior team in the future. The rewards announced by the BCCI will further boost the morale of the young players and signal a bright future for Indian cricket.
