In a breathtaking display of power-hitting, India’s young batting prodigy Vaibhav Suryavanshi delivered a record-breaking performance in the U-19 Asia Cup match against UAE in Dubai on Wednesday. The 14-year-old left-hander hammered a sensational 171 off just 95 balls, steering India to a commanding total of 433/6 in 50 overs.
Suryavanshi’s innings was nothing short of extraordinary—he smashed nine boundaries and a staggering 14 sixes, the most ever hit by a batter in a single innings in U-19 cricket. His explosive knock surpassed the previous U-19 Asia Cup record of 10 sixes set by Afghanistan’s Darwish Rasooli in 2017.
A Fiery Response to Sledging
During the 32nd over, with Suryavanshi batting in the 90s, UAE left-arm spinner Uddish Suri was delivering the over when wicketkeeper Saleh Amin attempted to unsettle him. Audible on the stump mic, Amin teased:
“Come on boys. 90s curse. 90s curse.”
Suryavanshi, unfazed and visibly irritated, shot back with a sharp reply:
“Tere saath selfie loon?”
Later, when asked about the on-field exchange, the confident youngster remarked,
“Main Bihar se hoon. Peeth peeche jo bhi baatein hoti hain, usse mujhko farak nahi padta.”
(I’m from Bihar. Whatever people say behind my back doesn’t affect me.)
India’s Innings: From Early Setback to Dominance
India U-19 faced early trouble when captain Ayush Mhatre fell for just four runs in the third over. However, Suryavanshi joined Aaron George at the crease and transformed the innings with an aggressive counterattack.
Starting cautiously, he reached his half-century in just 30 deliveries before switching to full-on demolition mode. His century arrived in 56 balls, and he continued punishing the UAE bowlers with clean, confident hitting. He reached 150 off 84 balls before being run out on 171, finishing with a remarkable strike rate of 180.
Suryavanshi’s knock now stands as the second-highest score by an Indian in Youth ODI cricket, just behind Ambati Rayudu’s unbeaten 177 against England U-19 in 2002.
Support From the Middle Order
India’s mammoth total was further strengthened by contributions from:
- Aaron George – 69
- Vihaan Malhotra – 69
- Vedant Trivedi – 38
- Abhigyan Kundu – 32
- Kanishk Chouhan – 28
Their collective effort helped India set UAE a formidable target of 434 runs.