India’s next generation of cricket stars is one win away from history. The India Under-19 team will face England in the ICC Under-19 World Cup 2026 final on Friday at the Harare Sports Club, Zimbabwe, with a record sixth title on the line. For the Boys in Blue, this isn’t just another final — it’s a chance to tighten their grip on youth cricket dominance.
Having already lifted the trophy five times, India enter the summit clash as favourites. England, though, won’t be pushovers and will be keen to spoil the party.
Here’s everything you need to know about the big match — date, time, squads, predicted XIs, head-to-head record and where to watch live.
Final match details at a glance
- Match: India U19 vs England U19, ICC Under-19 World Cup 2026 Final
- Date: Friday
- Venue: Harare Sports Club, Harare, Zimbabwe
- Live Streaming: JioHotstar (India)
- Live Telecast: Star Sports Network
India chasing history
India’s U19 side has made this stage look routine. This will be their 10th appearance in a World Cup final and an incredible sixth straight final since 2016.
Their past titles came in 2000, 2008, 2012, 2018 and 2022 — a record no other team has matched.
The current squad has shown the same traits fans associate with India’s youth teams: solid batting, disciplined bowling and calmness under pressure. Captain Ayush Mhatre’s side has looked balanced throughout the tournament.
Another win would further cement India’s status as the powerhouse of junior cricket.
England aiming for second crown
England’s U19 team has quietly built momentum this season. Their only title came back in 1998, and this is a rare chance to add a second.
Led by Thomas Rew, England rely on a mix of technically strong batters and attacking bowlers. If their top order fires early, they could make this a tight contest.
Finals often come down to handling nerves — and England will hope to hold their own against India’s experience at this stage.
Head-to-head record
Historically, India have dominated this rivalry.
- Total matches: 54
- India wins: 40
- England wins: 13
- Tied: 1
India hold a massive 74% win rate, which gives them a clear psychological edge heading into the final.
Predicted Playing XIs
India U19 (Predicted XI):
Aaron George, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Ayush Mhatre (c), Vihaan Malhotra, Vedant Trivedi, Abhigyan Kundu (wk), RS Ambrish, Kanishk Chouhan, Khilan Patel, Henil Patel, Deepesh Devendran
England U19 (Predicted XI):
Ben Dawkins, Joseph Moores, Ben Mayes, Thomas Rew (c/wk), Caleb Falconer, Ralphie Albert, Farhan Ahmed, Sebastian Morgan, James Minto, Manny Lumsden, Alex French
Full squads
India U19 Squad:
Aaron George, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Ayush Mhatre (c), Vihaan Malhotra, Vedant Trivedi, Abhigyan Kundu (wk), RS Ambrish, Kanishk Chouhan, Khilan Patel, Henil Patel, Deepesh Devendran, Harvansh Pangalia, Mohamed Enaan, Udhav Mohan, Kishan Kumar Singh
England U19 Squad:
Ben Dawkins, Joseph Moores, Ben Mayes, Thomas Rew (wk/c), Caleb Falconer, Ralphie Albert, Farhan Ahmed, Sebastian Morgan, James Minto, Manny Lumsden, Alex French, Alex Green, Isaac Mohammed, Luke Hands, Will Bennison, Ali Farooq
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Where to watch live in India
Fans can catch the match live on JioHotstar via streaming. Television viewers can tune into Star Sports Network channels for live coverage.
What to expect
Expect a high-pressure, closely fought contest. India have the stronger record and deeper bench strength, but finals can turn quickly.
If India’s top order gets going and the bowlers stick to their plans, the trophy could be heading back home. But if England strike early, it could become a nervy finish.
Either way, it’s the kind of match where future international stars are born — and that’s always worth watching.
