Vaibhav Sooryavanshi produced a relatively composed knock under pressure to give India a solid first-innings platform against Bangladesh in their Group B clash at the U19 World Cup 2026 in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, on Saturday.
Walking in under overcast conditions and against a disciplined bowling attack, the 14-year-old left-hander showed maturity after India slipped to 12/2 inside the first three overs.
Sooryavanshi absorbed the early pressure before quickly shifting gears, ensuring the innings stayed on course even as wickets fell at the other end.
He brought up his half-century in 30 deliveries and went on to compile a well-crafted 72 off 67 balls, striking at 107.46 and lacing his innings with six fours and three sixes. Sooryavanshi was eventually dismissed as India’s fourth wicket for 115 in the 27th over, having laid a strong foundation at the top.
Retained by Rajasthan Royals for the IPL 2026 season, Sooryavanshi has carried forward the momentum from a remarkable breakthrough in 2025 into the new year.
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Earlier this month, he captained the India Under-19 side to a commanding 3-0 away Youth ODI series win over South Africa in Benoni, leading from the front in his maiden assignment as junior national team captain.
The Rajasthan Royals opener finished the series as the leading run-scorer with 206 runs from three innings, including a half-century in the second match and a century in the decider.
He had also warmed up for the U19 World Cup with a Player-of-the-Match performance, smashing a 50-ball 96 against Scotland in India’s first warm-up game at the Bulawayo Athletic Club last week.
Sooryavanshi ended 2025 as India’s leading run-scorer in Youth ODIs, amassing 690 runs at an average of 57.50 and a strike rate of 160.09. His tally included two centuries and two half-centuries, while his power-hitting stood out globally as he topped the six-hitting charts with 55 maximums.
Already vice-captain of Bihar in senior domestic cricket across formats, Sooryavanshi also enjoyed a record-breaking IPL debut campaign last season, becoming the youngest player - and the youngest centurion - in the tournament’s history.
