Vaibhav Suryavanshi's explosive batting display propelled the India U-19 team to a commanding victory over England U-19 in the fourth Youth One Day International (ODI) in Worcester on Saturday. This win sealed the five-match series for India with a 3-1 lead. The 14-year-old Suryavanshi's record-breaking century was the cornerstone of India's success.
England U-19 won the toss and elected to field first. India U-19 faced an early setback, losing captain Ayush Mhatre in the fourth over. However, Suryavanshi, along with Vihaan Malhotra, stabilized the innings and formed a formidable partnership. The left-handed duo dominated the English bowlers, with Suryavanshi leading the charge. Suryavanshi reached his century in just 52 balls, which is the fastest century in the history of youth ODIs, eclipsing the previous record held by Pakistan's Kamran Ghulam. He ultimately scored a stunning 143 runs off 78 deliveries, studded with 13 fours and 10 sixes. Malhotra also contributed significantly, scoring a composed 129 off 121 balls. Their partnership of 219 runs in 24 overs set a solid foundation for India's imposing total. India U-19 ultimately posted 363/9 in their 50 overs. Jack Home was the pick of the bowlers for England, taking 4 wickets for 63 runs.
In response, England's opening pair, BJ Dawkins (67) and Joseph Moores (52), started strongly, putting up 104 runs in the first 15 overs. Rocky Flintoff then led the chase, scoring a hundred, but received little support from the rest of the batting order. England were eventually bowled out for 308 in 45.3 overs. Naman Pushpak took three wickets, and R.S. Ambrish took two wickets for India.
Suryavanshi's record-breaking innings included the fastest-ever century in a Youth ODI, reaching the milestone in just 52 balls. He broke the previous record held by Kamran Ghulam. Before Suryavanshi, Raj Angad Bawa held the record for the fastest century by an Indian in Youth ODIs, scoring a century in 69 balls against Uganda in the U-19 World Cup in 2022. Suryavanshi is also now the youngest player to score a Youth ODI century, surpassing Bangladesh's Najmul Hossain Shanto.
In the third Youth ODI, Suryavanshi showcased his aggressive batting style, scoring 86 runs off just 31 balls, including nine sixes. His nine sixes in that match broke the Indian record for the most sixes in a Youth ODI, surpassing the previous record of eight held jointly by Raj Angad Bawa and Mandeep Singh.
Vaibhav Suryavanshi has been making headlines with his performances. He became the youngest player to score an international century in October 2024, scoring 104 off 62 balls against Australia U-19. He also became the youngest player to be signed in the Indian Premier League (IPL), with Rajasthan Royals acquiring him for a substantial sum. During the IPL 2025, he smashed a 35-ball century for Rajasthan Royals against Gujarat Titans, which was the fastest by an Indian in IPL history.
