Vaibhav Suryavanshi, the 14-year-old cricket sensation, has once again captured the spotlight with a blistering innings in the first Youth ODI against England U19. The young prodigy, donning the famous No. 18 jersey typically worn by Virat Kohli, unleashed an "IPL-style carnage" on the English bowlers, smashing 48 runs off just 19 balls, including five towering sixes.
The match, held at the County Ground in Hove, saw Suryavanshi opening the innings with captain Ayush Mhatre, with India chasing a target of 175. Instead of his captain, Suryavanshi took charge and demonstrated a fearless display of strokeplay, setting the tone for India's successful run chase. He hit a boundary off the second ball he faced and continued to attack, smashing two consecutive sixes against Jack Home. His innings included three fours and five sixes, before he was dismissed in the 8th over by Ralphie Albert.
Suryavanshi's explosive batting approach has drawn comparisons to Virat Kohli, with fans noticing the significance of him wearing the No. 18 jersey. Although comparisons to Kohli may be premature, Suryavanshi's fearless approach and dazzling strokeplay have certainly made a statement.
This is not the first time Suryavanshi has grabbed headlines. Last year, he scored a century in a youth Test against Australia, showcasing his talent on the international stage. His performances earned him an IPL contract with the Rajasthan Royals, where he became the youngest player to debut in the league. He made his debut memorable by smashing a six off the very first ball he faced. During IPL 2025, Suryavanshi smashed an incredible 101 off just 38 deliveries against Gujarat Titans, further solidifying his reputation as a rising star. In seven IPL matches, he scored 252 runs at an impressive strike rate of 206.56.
Following his impressive IPL stint, Suryavanshi was selected for India's Under-19 squad for the tour of England. Before the tour, Suryavanshi expressed his excitement about playing in English conditions. His recent performance in the first Youth ODI suggests that he is ready to dominate and make a significant impact on the international stage.
India U19 ultimately secured a six-wicket victory against England U19, with Abhigyan Kundu sealing the win with an unbeaten 45. India's bowlers also played a crucial role, with Kanishk Chouhan taking 3 wickets for 20 runs. With this win, India U19 leads the five-match ODI series 1-0. The two teams will then compete in two Youth Tests starting July 12.
Vaibhav Suryavanshi's journey has not been without its challenges. An emotional interview revealed the struggles his parents faced during his early journey in cricket. Despite his young age, Suryavanshi remains grounded and focused on his game. He recognizes the importance of hard work and is determined to continue improving his skills.
Suryavanshi's aggressive batting style and ability to score quickly have made him a valuable asset to any team he plays for. While some experts believe his technique is best suited for T20 cricket, his talent and dedication suggest that he has the potential to excel in all formats of the game. As Vaibhav Suryavanshi's career progresses, the cricketing world will be watching closely to see what he can achieve.
