What is India’s record in ICC Under-19 World Cups?
The ICC Under-19 World Cup has been a breeding ground for young cricketing talent from around the world, providing a platform for future stars to showcase their skills on the international stage. India, with its rich cricketing history and vast pool of talented youngsters, has been a dominant force in the tournament since its inception in 1988. In this blog post, we will take a closer look at India’s record in the ICC Under-19 World Cups, highlighting their achievements, notable performances, and areas for improvement.
India’s ICC Under-19 World Cup Journey
India has played a total of 102 ICC Under-19 World Cup matches since 1988, with an impressive win-loss record of 81-20, and one match ending in no result. This translates to a win percentage of approximately 80%, a testament to the team’s consistent performance over the years. The team’s success can be attributed to the robust cricketing system in place, which identifies and nurtures young talent from a grassroots level.
Championship Wins
India has been crowned champions of the ICC Under-19 World Cup on five occasions: 2000, 2008, 2012, 2018, and 2022. Each of these victories has been a significant milestone in the team’s journey, with notable performances from players who have gone on to represent the senior national team.
The 2000 tournament, held in Sri Lanka, was India’s first Under-19 World Cup title. The team, led by Mohammad Kaif, defeated Sri Lanka in the final by 6 wickets, with Kaif scoring a match-winning 87*. This victory marked the beginning of India’s dominance in the tournament.
In 2008, India, under the captaincy of Virat Kohli, won the tournament held in Malaysia. The team defeated South Africa in the final by 12 runs, with Kohli scoring 19 and taking 2 wickets. This victory was a significant one, as it marked the emergence of Kohli, who has since become one of the world’s top batsmen.
The 2012 tournament, held in Australia, saw India, led by Unmukt Chand, defeat Australia in the final by 6 wickets. Chand scored a match-winning 111*, guiding his team to a comfortable victory.
In 2018, India, under the captaincy of Prithvi Shaw, won the tournament held in New Zealand. The team defeated Australia in the final by 8 wickets, with Shaw scoring 29 and Manjot Kalra scoring 101*.
India’s most recent championship win was in 2022, when the team, led by Yash Dhull, defeated England in the final by 4 wickets. This victory marked India’s fifth Under-19 World Cup title, solidifying their position as one of the top teams in the tournament.
Recent Performance
In the 2024 ICC Under-19 World Cup, India faced a setback, losing to Australia in the final by 79 runs. Despite this defeat, the team showed promise, with several players demonstrating their potential to represent the senior national team in the future.
As India prepares to face England in the 2026 Under-19 World Cup final, the team will be looking to bounce back from their 2024 defeat and claim their sixth championship title. With a talented squad and experienced coaching staff, India will be one of the favorites to win the tournament.
Conclusion
India’s record in the ICC Under-19 World Cups is a testament to the team’s consistent performance and the country’s robust cricketing system. With five championship wins and a strong squad, India will be looking to continue their dominance in the tournament. As the team prepares to face England in the 2026 final, cricket fans around the world will be eagerly watching to see if India can claim their sixth title.
For more information on India’s ICC Under-19 World Cup record and other cricket-related news, visit: https://www.espncricinfo.com/records/trophy/team-series-results/under-19s-world-cup-109