ICC Announces U19 World Cup 2026 Team of the Tournament with Three Indian Champions
The International Cricket Council (ICC) has officially unveiled the prestigious Team of the Tournament for the recently concluded ICC Under-19 Men's Cricket World Cup 2026. This elite squad celebrates the standout performers from the global youth cricket championship, with three players from India's triumphant U19 World Cup-winning team earning well-deserved spots.
Indian Trio Honored for World Cup Triumph
From India's championship side, Vaibhav Suryavanshi, Kanishk Chouhan, and Henil Patel have been selected for the 12-member ICC U19 World Cup Team of the Tournament. Suryavanshi's inclusion comes as no surprise after his phenomenal tournament, where he was also crowned Player of the Tournament for amassing 439 runs.
His crowning achievement was a breathtaking innings in the final against England, where he smashed 175 runs off just 80 balls. This knock was not only match-winning but also record-breaking. Suryavanshi set a new benchmark for the most sixes in a single Under-19 World Cup innings, launching 15 maximums to surpass the previous record of 12 held by Australia's Michael Hill.
Batting at a staggering strike rate of 218.75, his final innings included 15 fours alongside those 15 sixes, meaning a remarkable 150 of his 175 runs came from boundaries alone. Kanishk Chouhan earned his place through consistent all-round contributions with both bat and ball throughout the competition. Meanwhile, Henil Patel's 11 wickets were crucial, highlighted by a superb spell of 5 for 16 against the USA.
Global Stars Complete the Elite Squad
The runners-up, England, also have three representatives in the team. Thomas Rew has been appointed as the captain and wicketkeeper of the squad after scoring 330 runs at an average of 66, including a vital century in the semi-final against Australia. He is joined by the tournament's highest wicket-taker, Manny Lumsden, who claimed 16 scalps, and the leading run-scorer, Ben Mayes, who piled on 444 runs.
Mayes' tournament was highlighted by a monumental 191-run innings against Scotland. He came agonizingly close to history, falling just one run short of equaling the all-time highest individual score in an ICC U19 Men's Cricket World Cup. That record was set merely four days earlier by Sri Lanka's Viran Chamuditha, who also makes the team following his groundbreaking 192 against Japan, an innings featuring 26 fours and a six.
Afghanistan's journey to the semi-finals is recognized with two selections. Faisal Khan Shinozada earned his spot after finishing the tournament with back-to-back centuries against Ireland and India. Nooristani Omarzai is included for his 14 wickets, including a best of 5 for 9 against Tanzania.
The squad is rounded out by other notable performers:
- Oliver Peake (Australia): The captain scored two centuries, against the West Indies and in the semi-final against England.
- Ali Raza (Pakistan): Took 13 wickets at an impressive average of 13.92.
- Vitel Lawes (West Indies): The Jamaican left-arm spinner claimed 10 wickets across five matches.
Official Team of the Tournament Lineup
The full 12-member ICC U19 Men's Cricket World Cup 2026 Team of the Tournament is as follows:
- Vaibhav Sooryavanshi (India)
- Viran Chamuditha (Sri Lanka)
- Faisal Khan Shinozada (Afghanistan)
- Thomas Rew (wicketkeeper, captain) (England)
- Oliver Peake (Australia)
- Ben Mayes (England)
- Kanishk Chouhan (India)
- Nooristani Omarzai (Afghanistan)
- Vitel Lawes (West Indies)
- Ali Raza (Pakistan)
- Manny Lumsden (England)
- Henil Patel (India)
The selection was made by a distinguished panel comprising Ian Bishop (Convenor), Lydia Greenway, Andy Flower, and Telford Vice. This team represents the brightest young talents in world cricket, showcasing the future stars of the international game following an exhilarating tournament.
