India’s triumphant U19 World Cup campaign received further recognition as opener Vaibhav Sooryavanshi was named in the ICC U19 World Cup Team of the Tournament, following his match-winning performance in the final against England.

Vaibhav saved his best for the biggest stage, smashing a breathtaking 175 off just 80 balls in the summit clash. His blistering knock powered India to a commanding total and played a decisive role in securing their sixth U19 World Cup title. The innings stood out as one of the defining moments of the tournament, underlining the youngster’s ability to dominate elite bowling attacks under pressure.

The selection panel — comprising convenor Ian Bishop along with Lydia Greenway, Andy Flower and Telford Vice — named three Indian players in the combined XI. Alongside Vaibhav, spinner Kanishk Chouhan and fast bowler Henil Patel were rewarded for their consistent performances throughout the competition.

Runners-up England also had three representatives in the Team of the Tournament. Ben Mayes, who finished as the tournament’s leading run-scorer, was selected along with Thomas Rew and Manny Lumsden. Rew was additionally named captain of the side, reflecting his leadership and all-round impact during England’s run to the final.

Vaibhav ended the tournament with an impressive tally of 439 runs, though his journey was not without challenges. The left-hander endured a mixed start to the competition, often getting promising starts without converting them into big scores. His turning point came in the semi-final against Afghanistan, where he played a crucial role in setting up India’s record run chase.

The final proved to be the perfect stage for Vaibhav’s breakthrough. England’s bowlers had no answers as he dismantled the attack with fearless strokeplay, ensuring India posted a total that was well beyond England’s reach. Despite some resistance, England’s chase never gathered momentum as wickets fell at regular intervals.

At just 14 years old, Vaibhav’s performances throughout the tournament have firmly established him as one of the brightest prospects in world cricket. He first grabbed attention during the 2025 Indian Premier League, where he scored 252 runs in seven matches, including a century. Since then, his rise has been rapid, and the U19 World Cup has further strengthened expectations that he could become a major force in Indian cricket in the years ahead.