ICC U19 World Cup Team of the Tournament Unveiled: Sooryavanshi Honored, Captain Mhatre Overlooked
The International Cricket Council (ICC) has announced the Team of the Tournament for the 2026 U19 Men's Cricket World Cup, with Indian batting sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi securing a spot, while team captain Ayush Mhatre surprisingly misses out. The 12-member squad, selected by a panel including Ian Bishop, Lydia Greenway, Andy Flower, and Telford Vice, features three players each from champions India and runners-up England, highlighting the global talent on display.
Indian Contingent: Sooryavanshi Leads the Charge
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's inclusion comes as no surprise after his historic performance in the final against England, where he smashed a majestic 175 runs off just 80 balls, setting a new record for the highest score in an ICC World Cup final. Crowned Player of the Tournament and Player of the Match, Sooryavanshi amassed 439 runs at a staggering strike rate of 169.49, hitting a tournament-record 30 sixes. He is joined by all-rounder Kanishk Chouhan, who made consistent contributions with both bat and ball, and pacer Henil Patel, who took 11 wickets, including a superb spell of five for 16 against the USA.
Captain Mhatre's Omission and Global Stars Shine
Despite scoring crucial half-centuries in the semifinal and final, Indian captain Ayush Mhatre did not make the cut, having scored 214 runs overall. In contrast, England's Thomas Rew, named as the captain and wicketkeeper of the Team of the Tournament, scored 330 runs at an average of 66, including a match-winning century in the semi-final against Australia. England is also represented by Ben Mayes, the competition's leading run-scorer with 444 runs, and Manny Lumsden, the top wicket-taker with 16 scalps.
The squad includes other standout performers from around the world:
- Viran Chamuditha (Sri Lanka): Scored a competition record 192 runs against Japan, part of a record-breaking opening partnership of 328.
- Faisal Khan Shinozada and Nooristani Omarzai (Afghanistan): Key players in Afghanistan's run to the semi-finals, with Faisal scoring back-to-back centuries and Nooristani taking 14 wickets.
- Oliver Peake (Australia): The Australian captain scored two centuries, including one in a losing effort against England in the semifinals.
- Ali Raza (Pakistan) and Vitel Lawes (West Indies): Raza took 13 wickets at an economy of just over four, while Lawes claimed 10 wickets with his left-arm spin.
Record-Breaking Tournament Highlights
The 2026 U19 World Cup witnessed several historic moments. Sooryavanshi's final innings featured 15 fours and 15 sixes, helping India post 411 for nine and secure their record-extending sixth title. Ben Mayes came close to equaling the all-time individual score record, finishing with 444 runs, just one run shy of Viran Chamuditha's 192. Other records included:
- Fastest Century: Australia's Will Malajczuk scored the fastest U19 World Cup hundred in 51 balls against Japan.
- Best Bowling Figures: West Indies' Shaquan Belle took six for 40 against South Africa.
- Highest Partnership: Sri Lanka's opening stand of 328 between Dimantha Mahavithana and Viran Chamuditha set a new benchmark in Youth ODIs.
This Team of the Tournament celebrates the exceptional young talent that graced the global stage, with Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's heroics standing out as a defining moment in U19 cricket history.
