Doha, Qatar – Vaibhav Suryavanshi, the 14-year-old batting prodigy, etched his name in cricketing folklore on Friday with a blistering 32-ball century for India A against the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in the Rising Stars Asia Cup 2025. Suryavanshi's record-equalling feat powered India A to a commanding 148-run victory at the West End Park International Cricket Stadium.
The young left-hander's innings was a masterclass in aggressive batting, featuring 11 fours and 15 sixes, as he amassed a stunning 144 runs off just 42 deliveries. His incredible strike rate of 342.85 left the UAE bowlers clueless and propelled India A to a formidable total of 297/4 in their 20 overs. Skipper Jitesh Sharma contributed a rapid 83 not out off 32 balls, further solidifying India A's dominance.
Suryavanshi's century is the joint-second fastest by an Indian in T20 cricket, equaling Rishabh Pant's 32-ball ton for Delhi in 2018. The record is jointly held by Abhishek Sharma and Urvil Patel, who both reached the milestone in 28 balls. This achievement also marks Suryavanshi as the youngest man to score a century for a national representative side at the senior level, surpassing Mushfiqur Rahim's previous record.
However, Suryavanshi's impact extended beyond his explosive batting display. During the innings break, in an interview that has since gone viral, he shared his insights on handling pressure and staying focused, which the broadcaster jokingly referred to as "philosophy lessons".
When asked about dealing with the expectations of fans, Suryavanshi responded, "Fans are there to support us. I don't feel any pressure. And once you step onto the ground, you don't hear anything from outside". He also reflected on his journey, stating, "When I look back, I realise all of this is a part of life's journey. Where I used to play then, and where I play now… I am very grateful". Suryavanshi credited his father for instilling discipline in him from a young age, which he believes has helped him stay grounded and focused on the field.
Earlier in the year, Suryavanshi became the youngest player in the Indian Premier League (IPL) at 14 years and 23 days old. He further solidified his reputation by becoming the youngest centurion in IPL history, smashing a 35-ball century against the Gujarat Titans. He finished IPL 2025 with 252 runs in seven matches at a strike rate of 206.56, earning him the Super Striker of the Season award.
In the match, the UAE team struggled to contain the Indian batsmen, with Muhammad Rohid being their most economical bowler, conceding 40 runs in his four overs. Sohaib Khan fought valiantly for the UAE, scoring 63, but the Indian bowlers, led by Gurjapneet Singh (3/18), restricted them to 149/7.
India A's victory places them at the top of Group B in the Rising Stars Asia Cup 2025. They will face Pakistan Shaheens in a highly anticipated match on Sunday. The top two teams from each group will advance to the semi-finals.
The Rising Stars Asia Cup 2025, which is being held in Qatar from November 14-23, features eight teams and serves as a platform for emerging cricketing talent from across Asia. The tournament is being broadcast on Sony Sports Network and live-streamed on SonyLIV.
