Key Highlights
- Suryavanshi hits 175 from just 80 balls in the final against England.
- India wins the Under-19 World Cup with a total of 411-9.
- Falconer scores 115, but England falls short at 311 all out.
- Suryavanshi’s innings includes 15 sixes and is second fastest in U19 World Cups.
The Teen Phenomenon: Vaibhav Suryavanshi
Imagine a 14-year-old hitting 175 from just 80 balls. Yes, you read that right. Vaibhav Suryavanshi, the Indian teen sensation, is rewriting the book on young talent in cricket.
A Game-Changer at 14
At Harare Sports Club in Zimbabwe, under the watchful eyes of England’s best and a global audience, Suryavanshi’s innings was nothing short of breathtaking. His 24 runs off his first 24 balls set the tone for what was to come, but it wasn’t until the 126-minute mark that he truly took over.
He scored at an astonishing strike-rate of 218.75, hammering 15 sixes and 15 fours. His last 151 runs came off just 56 deliveries, a testament to his sheer brilliance under pressure. The only way to end Suryavanshi’s innings was by employing Manny Lumsden, who finally got him with a catch at backward point in the 26th over.
India’s Triumph
India’s victory was emphatic, winning by 100 runs. They finished on 411-9 from their 50 overs, breaking records and setting new benchmarks for youth cricket. This innings not only secured India’s sixth title but also cemented Suryavanshi’s legacy in the game.
England struggled to keep pace, with Ben Mayes showing promise early on before being dismissed playing a reverse sweep. His captain Thomas Rew added 31 runs but it wasn’t enough as England lost wickets regularly and finished at 311 all out after just 40.2 overs.
Records Broken
Suryavanshi’s achievement is not just about his score; it’s also a collection of records. His knock includes the highest score in an Under-19 World Cup final and the ninth-highest individual score in youth ODIs. At 62.71, he ranks second only to Ben Mayes, who has a tally of 444 runs.
His innings also broke the record for most sixes (15) in a youth ODI, surpassing his own mark set last year.
The century off just 55 balls stands as the second-fastest in U19 World Cups, behind Will Malajczuk’s blistering effort earlier this year.
For Suryavanshi, this is far from an isolated incident. He has been on a tear since April last year when he smacked his first ball for six in the Indian Premier League. His rise to global fame has been meteoric, and it’s safe to say that cricket fans are witnessing something truly special.
