ICC Under-19 World Cup 2026: Sri Lanka's opening batter Viran Chamuditha scripted his name in the history books on the back of a memorable performance during their ICC Under-19 World Cup 2026 match against Japan at Namibia Cricket Ground in Windhoek on Saturday.
Viran's memorable century helped Sri Lanka beat Japan by a massive margin of 203 runs in the high-scoring contest. The 17-year-old left-handed batter scored 192 runs from 143 balls, smashing the record for the highest individual score in U19 World Cup history. During his stay at the crease, Viran hit 26 fours and a six and stitched a 328-run opening partnership in 43.5 overs with Dimantha Mahavithana, who made 115 runs from 125 balls.
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Chamuditha narrowly missed out on becoming the first batter in U19 World Cup history to score a double century, but did enough to go past the previous record of the highest individual score in the competition’s history. Before Chamuditha, Sri Lanka’s Hasitha Boyagoda held that historic record, having scored 191 runs from 152 balls against Kenya in Lincoln on January 23, 2018.
Highest individual score in U19 World Cup
Viran Chamuditha (SL): 192 runs vs Japan (2026)
Hasitha Boyagoda (SL): 191 runs vs Kenya (2018)
Jakob Bhula (NZ): 180 runs vs Kenya (2018)
Donovan Pagon (WI): 176 runs vs Scotland (2002)
Dan Lawrence (ENG): 174 runs in Fiji (2016)
Viran's 328-run opening partnership with Dimantha Mahavitana was the highest partnership for any wicket in the tournament’s history.
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Highest partnerships for any wicket in U-19 Men’s World Cup
Dimantha Mahavithana & Viran Chamuditha (SL): 328 runs for 1st wicket vs Japan (2026)
Dan Lawrence & Jack Burnham (ENG): 303 runs for 2nd wicket vs Fiji (2016)
Brad Wilson & BJ Watling (NZ): 273 runs for 2nd wicket vs Scotland (2004)
Jason Sangha & Nathan McSweeney (AUS): 250 runs for 2nd wicket vs PNG (2018)
Rachin Ravindra & Jakon Bhula (NZ): 245 runs for 1st wicket vs Kenya (2018)
On the back of Viran Chamuditha's iconic batting effort, Sri Lanka posted a mammoth total of 387/4 in their 50 overs after being put into bat first. They restricted Japan to 184/8 in their 50 overs to register their first win in the tournament.