HARARE (Dunya News) – HARARE (Dunya News) – India were heading to a massive total after an explosive knock of 175 by opener Vaibhav Sooryavanshi off 80 balls in the final of Under-19 World Cup here on Friday.
Captain Ayush Mhatre’s decision to bat after winning the toss proved to be right as India scored 319 runs for the loss of five wickets in 40 overs – 10 over still to go.
Sooryavanshi hit 15 fours and as many sixes in his innings.
Mhatre was himself in devastating mood as he scored 53 runs off 51 balls laced with seven fours and two sixes.
Vedant Trivedi contributed 32 and Vihaan Malhotra 30 runs to the total.
Earlier, Mhatre won the toss and without “hesitation” opted to bat.
England captain Thomas Rew said after the toss that he would have decided to bowl had he won.
Both teams are unbeaten in the tournament so far. India is chase their sixth U19 World Cup title, while England their first since 1998.
Having chased down 311 in the semi-final against Afghanistan, India will be looking to set a daunting target for England. India's batting – led by a swashbuckling century by opener Aaron George – raced to the target with 53 balls and seven wickets to spare.
England stormed into the final after their captain, Thomas Rew, starred with a 110 that took them to a 27-run victory against defending champions Australia.
India and England have met once in the recent past: they faced off in a warm-up match right before the tournament. In the rain-interrupted encounter, Rew starred with a 66-ball 71 not out to take England home.
The Harare Sports Club has served up fast-paced pitches in the tournament so far.