New Delhi

Both Houses of Parliament on Monday congratulated the Indian Under-19 cricket team for clinching the ICC Under-19 World Cup 2026 title after defeating England in the final held in Harare, Zimbabwe.

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla lauded the young cricketers for their historic achievement, praising their skill, discipline, determination, and teamwork throughout the tournament. He said the team’s success would serve as an inspiration for youth across the country.

“The Indian Under-19 team has brought great pride to the nation by defeating England in the final on February 6 and winning the Under-19 Cricket World Cup 2026. The players demonstrated exceptional skill, discipline, and team spirit throughout the competition,” Birla said.

He added that the House congratulated the team and extended best wishes for their future, expressing hope that the victory would motivate aspiring young cricketers nationwide.

Rajya Sabha Chairman C P Radhakrishnan also congratulated the team, calling the victory a moment of immense pride for the country. He highlighted that the win marked India’s record-extending sixth Under-19 World Cup title and underlined the depth of cricketing talent among Indian youth.

While applauding the collective effort, Radhakrishnan made special mention of opener Vaibhav Suryavanshi, who scored a record 175 runs in the final — the highest individual score in an Under-19 World Cup final. He also praised the performances of other players leading up to the title clash.

“On behalf of this House, I extend heartfelt congratulations to the captain, players, coaches, and support staff, and wish these young champions continued success in the years ahead,” he said.

India registered a commanding 100-run victory over England in the final, powered by Suryavanshi’s 175 off 80 balls, along with a half-century from captain Ayush Mhatre and a valuable contribution from Abhigyan Kundu. India posted a massive total of 411 for nine.

England were eventually bowled out for 311 despite a valiant century by Caleb Falconer, with the match producing a record aggregate of 722 runs — the highest in an Under-19 World Cup final.

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Suryavanshi, who scored 439 runs in the tournament, was named Player of the Tournament and set multiple records during his final-match innings, including the most sixes in a single Under-19 World Cup innings.