Who Is Aaron George? The Rising Star Who Carried India to U-19 World Cup Final

India has reached the final of the U-19 World Cup 2026 after a thrilling semi-final victory over Afghanistan, thanks to a match-winning century from opener Aaron George.

Aaron George Shines in Semi-Final
In the semi-final played at Harare Sports Club, India successfully chased a massive target of 311, losing only three wickets. Vaibhav Suryawanshi provided a blazing start with 68 runs off 33 balls, followed by captain Ayush Mhatre’s 62 off 59 balls. However, the star of the match was 19-year-old Aaron George, who scored 115 runs off 104 balls, including 15 fours and 2 sixes, guiding India to a historic final.

Who Is Aaron George?
Unlike several other young Indian players already in the spotlight, Aaron George is relatively unknown. Born in Kerala and raised in Hyderabad, he has represented the city in domestic cricket. George also captained his team in the 2022-23 Vijay Merchant Trophy, scoring 303 runs against Bihar. In the previous two seasons of the Vinoo Mankad Trophy, he scored 341 and 373 runs respectively, establishing himself as a reliable batsman in domestic circuits.

According to reports by The Indian Express, George’s cricketing journey began at the age of four when he received a plastic bat as a birthday gift. Unlike other children, he instinctively played straight shots, practicing in his living room—a glimpse of his future as a cricketer.

Father’s Support Key to His Success
Aaron George credits his father, Eso Varghese, for his cricketing journey. A former local cricketer who aspired to play professionally, Eso shifted to the corporate sector from the police service to fully support Aaron’s ambitions, ensuring he received the guidance and opportunities his father once missed.

Historic Run Chase in U-19 World Cup
Batting first, Afghanistan set a daunting target of 311 for India, with Faisal Shinozada scoring 110 and Uzairellah Niyazi adding 101*. India achieved the target in the 42nd over, marking the largest run chase in U-19 World Cup history. The previous record was 305 runs, achieved by New Zealand against Ireland in 2006.

Aaron George’s extraordinary innings under pressure has firmly established him as one of India’s brightest young talents and a key player to watch in the U-19 World Cup final.