Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s sensational 86 off just 31 balls lit up Northampton on Wednesday, guiding the Indian U19 cricket team to a convincing four-wicket win over England in the third IND U19 vs ENG U19 Youth ODI match.
Chasing 269 to win in a rain-curtailed 40-over-a-side match, the 14-year-old opener set the tone early, taking the attack to the English bowlers with a flurry of boundaries.
The half-century - his first of the tour - came in just 20 balls. It is the second-fastest fifty by an Indian in a U19 ODI match after Rishabh Pant, who registered a 50 in just 18 deliveries against Nepal in 2016.
Vaibhav, who represents Rajasthan Royals in the IPL, began aggressively with two fours off James Minto in the second over of the innings before launching into Sebastian Morgan with back-to-back sixes in the next.
He kept the pressure on throughout his stay at the crease, finishing with six fours and nine sixes at a strike rate of 277.41. This is also the record for the most number of maximums registered by any Indian batter in a YODI match.
His entertaining innings came to an end when he was dismissed by Alexander Wade, but not before giving India a commanding start in their chase.
Earlier in the series, Vaibhav had played a match-winning 48 off 19 balls in the opener and followed it up with a fluent 45 off 34 in the second YODI, which India lost. He had scored 17 in the warm-up game against England Invitational XI.
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Following Vaibhav’s dismissal, India seemed to be cruising at 111/2 in eight overs. However, a few quick wickets made for a nervy ending before a composed stand between Kanishk Chouhan and RS Ambrish saw India safely cross the finish line with four wickets in hand.
The win gives India a 2-1 lead in the five-match India vs England Youth ODI series. The next match will be played in Worcester on Saturday.
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has been in red-hot form this season.
He entered the England tour on the back of a record-breaking IPL 2025 campaign with Rajasthan Royals, where he became the youngest-ever IPL debutant at 14 years and 23 days.
Nine days later, he scored a stunning 35-ball century against Gujarat Titans - the fastest by an Indian in IPL history and second-fastest overall behind Chris Gayle.
He finished the season with 252 runs from seven matches at a strike rate of 206.56, also winning the Super Striker of the Season award.
Ahead of the England tour, Sooryavanshi also hit 190 off 90 balls in a U19 practice match in Bengaluru.
