India U19 Reach Final After Record Win Over Afghanistan; Which Team Will They Face Next?

India's Under-19 team delivered a performance to remember by pulling off the biggest run chase ever seen in U19 World Cup history.

In a high-pressure semifinal against Afghanistan, India comfortably chased down a daunting target of 311 runs to secure a place in the final. The landmark win came at the Harare Sports Club and showcased the composure and class of India's young batters.

The chase was built around a superb innings from opener Aaron George, who rose to the occasion with a brilliant century. George scored 115 runs off 104 deliveries, setting the pace of the innings and ensuring India stayed in control throughout.

He found solid support from Vaibhav Suryavanshi and skipper Ayush Mhatre, both of whom contributed valuable half-centuries to keep the momentum firmly on India's side.

Thanks to the strong partnerships and sensible batting approach, India reached the target with seven wickets still in hand and more than eight overs remaining. The ease with which the chase was completed underlined the team's dominance in a knockout game.

This victory has rewritten the U19 World Cup record books. India's successful chase of 311 surpasses the previous tournament record of 305 runs, set by New Zealand against Ireland in 2006. It also breaks the earlier record for the highest run chase in a U19 World Cup knockout match, which stood at 245 and was achieved by India themselves against South Africa in the 2024 semifinal.