India’s Under-19 team created history in Harare by winning a record sixth World Cup title after defeating England in the final. Powered by a dominant batting display from Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and captain Ayush Mhatre, along with a late flourish from Kanishk Chouhan, India posted a massive 411/9 in their 50 overs.
England fought hard in reply and stayed in the contest for a long time, but the pressure of the steep target eventually proved too much. They were bowled out for 311, handing India a comprehensive 100-run victory. Caleb Falconer’s century went in vain as Mhatre led his side to yet another historic triumph.
Speaking exclusively to NewsX, Ayush Mhatre’s childhood coach Prashant Shetty praised the team’s remarkable run in the tournament.
“Congratulations to Team India and all the players. It was a fantastic campaign. We remained unbeaten, dominated throughout, and fully deserved to win the title. I am extremely happy and proud of the boys,” Shetty said.
Calling the achievement a major milestone, he added, “Winning a sixth World Cup is historic, but my message to my students is simple—this is just the beginning. Learn from these players: their work ethic, discipline, dignity, and the way they handled success. If they follow these values, I am confident they will have successful careers and take Indian cricket forward.”
Shetty also spoke about Ayush Mhatre’s journey during the tournament. The right-handed batter had gone through a difficult phase earlier, struggling for runs, but turned things around with half-centuries in both the semifinal and the final.
“Ayush’s form may have looked down at times, but he delivered when it mattered most. I always tell him to keep watching his own videos and stay positive. He has performed exceptionally well in domestic cricket, especially in the Vijay Hazare Trophy last year, scoring big hundreds against strong teams. If he can do it there, he can do it at this level as well. As a captain, I told him that taking responsibility was the only thing left,” Shetty explained.
The coach also lavished praise on Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, who smashed a record-breaking 175 off just 80 balls in the final.
“Scoring a century in a World Cup final shows Vaibhav’s temperament and character. When you look at this batting group—Ayush Mhatre, Vaibhav, Aaron George, Vihaan Malhotra, Kanishk Chouhan—it is a very promising unit. I truly believe we will see them achieve great things in the future,” he said.
Shetty believes the players have crossed the first major stage of their journey, but stressed that adaptability and innovation will be crucial going forward.
“Challenges will always be there. At every level, they will need to prove themselves again and again. Some of these boys can go on to play for India A and push for the next level. Adaptability and innovation will be key—they must keep improving and evolving their game. It’s not just about reaching the next level, but staying there and performing consistently,” he said.
Ayush Mhatre is also part of the Chennai Super Kings setup in the IPL, but Shetty is confident that the glamour of the league will not distract him.
“I was not worried about the IPL or the attention that comes with playing for CSK. His family values are very strong. I spoke to his father once, and we were confident distractions would not come in. Everything happened very quickly, and once he joined the team, his focus was completely on cricket. It has always been his priority,” the coach said.
Concluding his thoughts, Shetty added, “You have to respect the game, focus on your work, and give your best wherever you play. His motivation was clear—not just to get opportunities, but to perform wherever he went.”
