Suryavanshi’s Blitz Powers India To U19 World Cup Final Clash With England

HARARE — The “Vaibhav Suryavanshi Show” finally hit its peak at the perfect moment. In a high-octane semi-final on Wednesday, February 4, 2026, the teenage sensation dismantled Afghanistan’s bowling attack, scoring 68 runs off just 33 balls. His explosive start allowed India to chase down a daunting target of 311 with seven wickets to spare, securing their spot in the ICC U19 World Cup Final.

India will face England in the summit clash today, Friday, February 6, at the Harare Sports Club.

1. Semi-Final Heroics: 206.06 Strike Rate

Despite entering the tournament as the most talked-about player, Suryavanshi’s journey had been a “mixed bag” until the knockouts.

• The Performance: In the semi-final, he hammered nine boundaries and four sixes, reaching his half-century in just 24 balls.
• The Commentary Box: Legends Ian Bishop and Temba Bavuma were left in awe, with Bishop noting the sheer impact of the 14-year-old’s “brash shot-making.”
• The Vulnerability: Bavuma pointed out a recurring issue—Suryavanshi again fell to a short ball, a tactical plan teams are increasingly using against him.

2. The Coach’s Insight: Working on the “Short Ball”

Speaking to Hindustan Times Digital ahead of the final, Suryavanshi’s childhood coach, Manish Ojha, addressed the teenager’s technical struggles.

• The Flaw: Ojha noted that Vaibhav tends to “push his weight back” when pulling, leading to top edges.
• The Fix: “I told him to push his weight forward… we worked on this particular shot for 2-3 days during the Ranji Trophy,” Ojha revealed.
• England Challenge: Vaibhav has a history of dominating England, including a record-breaking 58-ball century in Youth Tests last year.

3. “No Comparisons with Sachin Tendulkar”

With Suryavanshi becoming the youngest centurion in IPL history (for Rajasthan Royals) and now a World Cup star at 14, comparisons to Sachin Tendulkar have become unavoidable. However, his coach is quick to temper the hype.

• Style Difference: Ojha insists that Vaibhav’s game is about “fearlessness and power,” whereas Sachin was defined by “perfect technique and elegance.”
• The Verdict: “Comparing such a young boy with the Master makes no sense. Vaibhav can learn from Sachin, but his journey is his own.”

4. Final Match Details: India vs England (2026)