Vaibhav Suryavanshi Headlines ICC U19 World Cup Team of Tournament
Vaibhav Suryavanshi has capped his sensational U-19 World Cup campaign by headlining the ICC Team of the Tournament alongside two other Indian stars. The 13-year-old’s record-breaking exploits, culminating in a breathtaking 175 off 80 balls in the final against England, earned him Player of the Tournament honors and a place in the prestigious 12-member squad announced on Saturday.
India’s Triple Representation
India’s title triumph is reflected in three players making the Team of the Tournament. Alongside Vaibhav Suryavanshi, all-rounder Kanishk Chouhan and left-arm spinner Henil Patel earned recognition from the selection panel comprising Ian Bishop (Convenor), Lydia Greenway, Andy Flower, and Telford Vice.
Kanishk Chouhan made crucial contributions with both bat and ball throughout the tournament. His all-round abilities provided captain Ayush Mhatre with tactical flexibility, allowing India to maintain balance in their XI regardless of conditions. Henil Patel emerged as India’s wicket-taking weapon with 11 scalps, including a fantastic five for 16 against USA.
Vaibhav’s Record-Breaking Tournament
The Rajasthan Royals prodigy saved his best for last. His 175 off 80 balls in Friday’s final at Harare Sports Club demolished England’s bowling attack with 13 fours and 14 sixes. The innings broke multiple records and gave India an insurmountable total that sealed their sixth U-19 World Cup title.
His tournament statistics tell the story of dominance - 439 runs at an average of 73.16 and strike rate exceeding 150. His 29 sixes were the most by any player in a single U-19 World Cup edition, surpassing Dewald Brevis’s 18 sixes in 2022. Former India cricketer Reetinder Singh Sodhi had earlier labeled Vaibhav as “Junior Abhishek Sharma” for his fearless batting style.
England’s Trio Despite Final Defeat
Despite losing the final, England placed three players in the Team of the Tournament - captain Thomas Rew, opener Ben Mayes, and pace bowler Manny Lumsden. Rew finished with 330 runs at an average of 66, while Mayes topped the tournament charts with 444 runs, including a magnificent 191 against Scotland. Lumsden claimed the Purple Cap with 16 wickets as the tournament’s leading wicket-taker.
Afghanistan and Other Nations
Afghanistan’s historic semifinal run earned Faisal Khan Shinozada and Nooristani Omarzai well-deserved places. Faisal scored two centuries, including 110 against India in the semifinal, while Nooristani terrorized batsmen with 14 wickets. Australia captain Oliver Peake earned his spot with two tournament centuries despite their semifinal exit.
Sri Lanka’s Viran Chamuditha made the team after his record-breaking 192 against Nepal - the highest individual score in U-19 World Cup history. Pakistan’s Ali Raza took 13 wickets at just over four runs per over, while West Indies’ Jamaican left-arm spinner Vitel Lawes claimed 10 wickets in five matches.
ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup 2026 Team of the Tournament: Vaibhav Suryavanshi (India), Viran Chamuditha (Sri Lanka), Faisal Khan Shinozada (Afghanistan), Thomas Rew [wk, capt] (England), Oliver Peake (Australia), Ben Mayes (England), Kanishk Chouhan (India), Nooristani Omarzai (Afghanistan), Vitel Lawes (West Indies), Ali Raza (Pakistan), Manny Lumsden (England), Henil Patel (India).