India opener Vaibhav Sooryavanshi saved his best for the biggest match of his Youth career as he stepped up to blaze his way to a historic century in the final of the ICC U19 World Cup 2026 against England in Harare on Friday. The teenage batting star took a mere 55 deliveries to get to the milestone.

This is the second-fastest century in the history of the competition behind Australian Will Malajczuk, who took 51 deliveries against Japan.

Sooryavanshi also became the youngest centurion in the history of the tournament.

Sooryavanshi also broke the all-time record for the most sixes in the competition’s history, surpassing South African Dewald Brevis, who struck 18 sixes in 2024. At the time of writing, the India batting sensation had belted eight sixes and taken his tournament tally to 23*.

Overall, he is the sixth to register a three-figure total in an ICC U19 World Cup final and second Indian. Unmukt Chand, Manjot Kalra, Brett Williams, Jarrad Burke and Stephen Peters are the other five batters with a hundred a junior ODI World Cup final.

The 14-year-old first came into the limelight when he landed a record IPL deal with Rajasthan Royals during the mega auction held in 2024. And he made quite an entry, launching the first ever delivery of IPL career for a stunning six last season.

He then went on to smack a record-breaking 35-ball century – the quickest by an Indian in the IPL history and also becoming the youngest ever centurion in T20 cricket.

India are the most successful team in U19 World Cup history having won five titles and are eyeing a record-extending sixth trophy. The Ayush Mhatre-led side stormed into the final winning all their matches.

Source: News18