India’s record in Under 19 World Cup finals

India are the most successful team in the history of the Under 19 World Cup with five titles under their belt.

India are back in yet another Under 19 World Cup final, reaching their 10th final of the tournament. Their win over Afghanistan in the semifinals wasn’t just another result; it was a reminder of how calmly and confidently this team handles big moments.

Now, they’re set to face England in the final, with both sides arriving unbeaten and full of belief. It sets up a mouth-watering contest between two teams who have done everything right so far.

As the countdown to the final begins, it’s worth pausing to look back at India’s Under 19 World Cup finals record—a journey filled with pressure, promise, and players who learned to become stars on this very stage.

Team India’s performance in Under 19 World Cup Finals

Over the years, India have reached the U-19 World Cup final nine times, winning five titles and losing four. But those numbers only tell part of the story. Behind every final is a group of teenagers carrying the weight of expectations, learning hard lessons, and sometimes announcing themselves to the cricketing world in unforgettable fashion.

On that note, let’s take a look at India’s performance in Under 19 World Cup finals

2000 Under 19 World Cup Final – Birth of a Powerhouse

India vs Sri Lanka | Result: India won by 6 wickets

Team India clinched their first ever U-19 World Cup title in 2000 after beating Sri Lanka in final. They chased down the target of 179 in 40 overs, taking the nation to glory. Jehan Mubarak scored the only fifty of the final before Shalabh Srivastava’s three-for restricted Sri Lanka to 178 in the first innings.

Mohammed Kaif’s calm leadership stood out, but the real spark came from Yuvraj Singh, whose all-round brilliance announced the arrival of a generational talent. Many experts still consider this team as the blueprint for India’s modern youth-cricket structure.

2006 Under 19 World Cup Final – A Lesson in Pressure

India vs Pakistan | Result: India lost by 38 runs

In the low-scoring final of the 2006 U-19 World Cup, India faced defeat at the hands of arch-rivals Pakistan. India restricted Pakistan to a mere 109, thanks to Ravindra Jadeja and Piyush Chawla, who picked up 7 wickets between them.

What followed was a collapse that hurt. Chasing a small target, India were bowled out cheaply for just 71 runs. India, despite boasting the tournament’s top scorer Cheteshwar Pujara, collapsed dramatically while chasing a modest total. It was one of those days where nothing worked.

2008 Under 19 World Cup Final – Kohli’s First Statement

India vs South Africa | Result: India won by 12 runs (D/L method)

Rain threatened to spoil the contest in Kuala Lumpur, but India adapted better under pressure. Batting first, India posted a total of 159 before the match was shortened due to weather.

Chasing a revised target of 116 from 25 overs, South Africa fell short by 12 runs as India’s bowlers held their nerve. Virat Kohli, leading the side, played a crucial hand as he marshalled his resources smartly in a tense, rain-affected final to guide India to their second U-19 World Cup title.

2012 Under 19 World Cup Final – Chand’s Iconic Chase

India vs Australia | Result: India won by 6 wickets

India produced one of the most memorable chases in Under 19 World Cup history. Australia posted 225/8 in 50 overs, setting a stiff target in a final thanks to captain William Bosisto’s 87. Sandeep Sharma, on the other hand, took 4 wickets for India.

The chase, however, belonged to Unmukt Chand, who remained unbeaten on 111, showing exceptional composure and class under pressure. He was supported by Smit Patel, who scored unbeaten 62. India reached 227/4 in 47.4 overs, sealing their third title and cementing Chand’s knock as one of the finest final performances in the tournament’s history.

2016 Under 19 World Cup Final – West Indies Hold Their Nerve

India vs West Indies | Result: West Indies won by 5 wickets

India entered the final unbeaten but struggled to build momentum with the bat, managing 145/9 in 50 overs. Despite fighting spells from the bowlers, West Indies paced their chase calmly, reaching 146/5 in 49.3 overs. Sarfaraz Khan continued his strong tournament scoring a fifty in the final.

West Indies’ athletic fielding and controlled batting made the difference on the day. Alzarri Joseph and Ryan John broke the back of India’s batting lineup with three wickets each. Keacy Carty scored an unbeaten 52 to take his side over the line, in what was a remarkable year for the Caribbean nation.

2018 Under 19 World Cup Final – A One-Sided Masterclass

India vs Australia | Result: India won by 8 wickets

India were in complete control in the 2018 final. Australia were bowled out for 216 in 47.2 overs, as India’s bowlers kept things tight throughout the innings.

The chase was emphatic. Manjot Kalra smashed an unbeaten century as India raced to 220/2 in just 38.5 overs. Under Prithvi Shaw’s leadership, India claimed their fourth U-19 World Cup title in dominant fashion. Manjot Kalra was announced as the Player of the Match. Shubham Gill, on the other hand, was named the Player of the Tournament for his consistent performances.

2020 Under 19 World Cup Final – Rain, Drama, and Heartbreak

India vs Bangladesh | Result: Bangladesh won by 3 wickets (D/L method)

India were bowled out for 177 in 47.2 overs, with Yashasvi Jaiswal once again standing tall after a sensational tournament. The left-hander scored a brilliant 88 in the final. Rain interruptions altered the course of the final, leading to a revised target for Bangladesh.

Bangladesh held their nerve in the chase, reaching 170/7 in 42.1 overs to script history. Ravi Bishnoi made the chase difficult for Bangladesh with figures of 4 for 30, but couldn’t stop them from crossing the win line. For India, it was a heartbreaking loss in a match defined by fine margins and shifting conditions.

2022 Under 19 World Cup Final – Champions Once More

India vs England | Result: India won by 4 wickets

England were bowled out for 189 in 44.5 overs, thanks to disciplined Indian bowling. James Rew scored 95 runs while Raj Bawa and Ravi Kumar took 5 and 4 wickets respectively. The chase was anchored by calm decision-making and key contributions through the middle order.

India chased down the target to reach 195/6 in 47.4 overs. Shaik Rasheed and Nishant Sandhu scored half-centuries while Raj Bawa gave the finishing touches. The final was defined by Raj Bawa’s outstanding all-round performance as he was named the Player of the Match. Under Yash Dhull’s leadership, India lifted their fifth U-19 World Cup title.

2024 Under 19 World Cup Final – Australia Finish Strong

India vs Australia | Result: Australia won by 79 runs

Australia posted a formidable 253/7 in 50 overs, putting India under pressure early. Despite resistance from the lower order, India were bowled out for 174 in 43.5 overs.

Australia’s disciplined bowling and depth with the bat proved decisive, denying India a sixth title but once again highlighting their consistency in reaching the final.

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