NEW DELHI: Fourteen-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi delivered a stunning performance in the U-19 World Cup final on Friday, producing one of the most dominant innings ever seen at this level. Playing against England on the biggest stage, the young Indian opener showed remarkable composure and attacking intent from the very start.
Sooryavanshi reached his century in just 55 balls, making it the second-fastest hundred in U-19 World Cup history. Only Australia’s Will Malajczuk has scored a quicker ton in the tournament. He brought up his century with a single and then marked the moment with a calm and respectful celebration. After a brief roar, he removed his helmet and gloves, paused for a brief prayer, and applauded the dressing room.Watch:The Indian batter brought up his first fifty in 32 balls and then accelerated even further, scoring his next fifty in only 23 deliveries as England’s bowlers struggled to slow him down.He shared a rapid 142-run partnership with captain Ayush Mhatre, who contributed a steady half-century before getting out. Together, they completely took control of the final and pushed England onto the back foot.Sooryavanshi eventually fell for a breathtaking 175 off 80 balls, an innings filled with 15 fours and 15 sixes. His dismissal finally gave England a moment to regroup, as the scoring rate had made even an extremely high total seem possible.Despite missing out on a double century, the young prodigy walked off to a standing ovation. Suryavanshi fell for 175 in the 26th over as India went on to post 411 for 9. The left-hander has seen a phenomenal rise over the last couple of years, scoring a U-19 debut century, hitting a six off his first IPL ball for Rajasthan Royals, and now smashing the tournament’s second-fastest hundred.
