![Virat Kohli and Gautam Gambhir [Source: @SpotOnEntertai1, @BCCI/x]](https://onecricketnews.akamaized.net/parth-editor/oc-dashboard/news-images-prod/1770394209839_ViratKohliandGautamGambhir.jpg?type=hq)
Virat Kohli and Gautam Gambhir [Source: @SpotOnEntertai1, @BCCI/x]
Virat Kohli and Gautam Gambhir have come together to celebrate India’s historic 2026 ICC Men’s U19 World Cup win in Zimbabwe. Under the astute leadership of CSK cult hero Ayush Mhatre and bolstered by Vaibhav Suryavanshi, the India U19 team walloped England by 100 runs on the big day at the Harare Sports Club.
The outcome also marked India’s sixth U19 World Cup win, and their first since lifting the 2022 title four years ago.
Virat Kohli and Gautam Gambhir congratulate India U19 team
Shortly after India U19 lifted the 2026 ICC Men’s Under-19 World Cup in Zimbabwe, former India captain Virat Kohli took to X and congratulated the ‘Boys in Blue’. The active Indian ODI cricketer also acknowledged India’s domination across all formats, irrespective of age groups and genders.
Virat Kohli wrote, “Congratulations to the U-19 Indian team for lifting the World Cup once again. Our domination in the age group cricket and beyond continues. Well done to the whole squad and the support staff.”
Incidentally, Virat Kohli himself was the captain of the team when India U19 lifted the 2008 U19 World Cup in Malaysia nearly a couple of decades ago.
His former teammate and current national head coach Gautam Gambhir also took to X to express his admiration for the Ayush Mhatre-led team. Gambhir wrote, “Proud of you boys! The bright future is here!”
Vaibhav Suryavanshi blows away England in one-sided final
India U19 batted first and mounted 411-9 in 50 overs. Blistering opener and Rajasthan Royals star Vaibhav Suryavanshi blasted 175 runs from just 80 balls at the top of the order. The attacking left-hander clattered 15 fours and 15 huge sixes to compound 150 runs from boundaries alone.
Overcoming the early loss of opener Aaron George, Suryavanshi shared a breathtaking 142-run partnership with captain and half-centurion Ayush Mhatre (53 off 51).
Vedant Trivedi (32 off 36), Vihaan Malhotra (30 off 36) and Abhigyan Kundu (40 off 31) also chipped in valuable runs in the second half of the India innings. Kanishk Chouhan exploded with 37* off 20 balls at the death to provide the slog-overs impetus for his side.
In response, England dusted out for just 311 in 40.2 overs. Caleb Falconer led England’s lone charge on the big day with an electrifying 115 from 67 balls. Ben Dawkins registered a half-century, but took 56 balls to make 66 amidst a herculean asking rate.
For India, RS Ambrish picked up three wickets at an expense of just 56 runs in nine overs. Deepesh Devendran and Kanishk Chouhan also chipped in with two wickets apiece.
India lifts sixth U19 World Cup title, sustain all-format dominance
India U19 team extended its U19 World Cup dominance by lifting the silverware for the sixth time. With the latest feat, Indian cricket also sustained its all-format authority across age-groups and genders.
It is worth noting that the Indian men’s team is the reigning T20 World Cup winners and Champions Trophy holders. The India women’s team won the 2025 ICC Women’s World Cup last year.
The India Women’s U19 team also lifted the U19 Women’s World Cup in early 2025. The India Blind Women’s team recently lifted the Blind World Cup, with the Men’s U19 team now completing a remarkable chain of global triumphs for Indian cricket.
