Teenage India sensation Vaibhav Suryavanshi has impressed for India in the U19s Asia Cup, scoring an unbeaten 76 to seal a win over the UAE, days after he was picked up in the IPL auction aged just 13.
Opening the batting alongside Ayush Mhatre in a chase of 138, Suryavanshi smashed 76 off just 46 balls, hitting six sixes and three fours in his assault as India demolished UAE U19s. The opening pair chased down the runs in just 16.1 overs, recording a huge 10-wicket win with 203 balls remaining, the first such win in U19 Asia Cup history.
UAE were bowled out for 137 at the end of the 44th over of their innings, Yudhajit Guha claiming 3-15 in seven overs. The result leaves India second in the table of group A, having lost to Pakistan last week, with UAE below them in third. India will now play Sri Lanka in the semi-final of the competition in Sharjah on Friday (December 6).
The innings comes off the back of a remarkable year for Suryavanshi. He made his first-class debut for Bihar last January, aged just 12 at the time. While that debut came after two half-centuries for India U19s the previous year, his breakthrough performance came in the U19 Test match between India and Australia in September this year. He hit a 58-ball century on debut in the format, the fastest-ever for an India U19 player and only second to Moeen Ali's 56-ball hundred in 2005 on the all-time list.
Vaibhav Suryavanshi, 13, has been in the news recently for his 58-ball century in the U19 Tests against Australia.
— Wisden India (@WisdenIndia) November 26, 2024
Read here ➡️ https://t.co/3cGmpQJN9p pic.twitter.com/ZhCF3tlO6S
Last week, he became the youngest-ever player to land a deal in the IPL, when he was picked up for INR 1.10 crore by Rajasthan Royals. Delhi Capitals were also involved in the bidding process, but he is set to feature alongside the likes of Sanju Samson and Jofra Archer.
The youngster will next be in action in India's semi-final in the U19 Asia Cup. India U19 last won the tournament was in 2021, when they beat Sri Lanka in the final to claim their eighth title. They lost out to Bangladesh in the semi-final last year, stopping their run of three straight titles.
Follow Wisden for all cricket updates, including live scores, match stats, quizzes and more. Stay up to date with the latest cricket news, player updates, team standings, match highlights, video analysis and live match odds.
