In a jaw-dropping exhibition of power-hitting, 14-year-old Vaibhav Suryavanshi carved his name into cricketing folklore with a stunning 31-ball 86 that propelled India to a four-wicket victory over England in the third Youth ODI at Northampton. In a rain-curtailed 40-over-a-side affair, Suryavanshi didn’t just win a match — he changed the conversation around India’s next batting superstar.
With India taking a 2–1 lead in the five-match Youth ODI series, the spotlight now rests firmly on the Mumbai-born southpaw who is redefining what’s possible in junior cricket.
Setting the Stage: A Crucial Contest with the Series Tied 1-1
After a dramatic one-wicket defeat in the second ODI, Team India came into the third fixture with a point to prove. The 40-over match, adjusted due to rain, seemed evenly poised after England posted a competitive total of 269 runs, with contributions from their top and middle order. The chase looked tricky under cloudy skies, but what followed was a blitzkrieg.
The Suryavanshi Storm: Fireworks from Ball One
Opening the innings for India, Vaibhav Suryavanshi tore into the English attack from the get-go. His intent was clear — to dominate, to disrupt, and to dismantle. With a mix of fearless aggression and astonishing precision, he raced to his fifty in just 14 deliveries, the third-fastest half-century in India U-19 history, and second-fastest by an Indian in Youth ODIs, narrowly missing Rishabh Pant’s legendary 18-ball fifty.
His explosive knock included:
-
9 sixes — a new India U-19 record in Youth ODIs
-
6 fours
-
A jaw-dropping strike rate of 277.41
-
A fearless intent that shattered records and England’s bowling morale
In one remarkable phase, Suryavanshi struck five sixes in a 10-ball burst, leaving the fielders and the bowlers equally helpless.
🔥 Historic Strike Rate
No player in the history of Youth ODIs had ever scored 80 or more runs at a strike rate over 250 — until now. Suryavanshi’s innings also eclipsed the long-standing record held by Suresh Raina, who smashed a similarly aggressive knock during his U-19 days in 2004.
Rewriting the Record Books
🏏 Most Sixes in a Youth ODI by an India U-19 Batter:
Rank | Player | Sixes | Opponent | Year |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Vaibhav Suryavanshi | 9 | England | 2025 |
2 | Raj Bawa | 8 | Zimbabwe | 2022 |
3 | Mandeep Singh | 8 | Australia | 2009 |
4 | Ankush Bains | 7 | Zimbabwe | 2013 |
A Blaze That Lit the Path, But Not Without Stumbles
Suryavanshi’s masterclass ended in the eighth over when he top-edged a short ball trying to pull to fine leg. By then, India had already reached 120 runs — in under 50 balls. The innings had set the tone, but the chase wasn’t over.
After his departure, India’s middle-order wobbled. From a comfortable 160/2, they slid to 199 for 6 by the 24th over, putting the match back in balance. England smelled blood.
Kanishk Chouhan and RS Ambrish: Calm After the Storm
While the top order had entertained, it was India’s lower order that secured victory. All-rounder Kanishk Chouhan, who had earlier bagged 3 wickets, held his nerve with a 43 off 42 balls*. He was ably supported by *RS Ambrish (31 off 38)**, and together they stitched an unbroken 75-run partnership, steering India home with 33 balls to spare.
This calm finishing act proved vital, but make no mistake — the foundation had been laid by a 14-year-old phenom with a bat blazing like a sword.
Suryavanshi: A Series to Remember
This knock wasn’t a flash in the pan. Suryavanshi has been consistently dominant throughout the series:
-
1st ODI: 48 off 19 balls
-
2nd ODI: 45 off 34 balls
-
3rd ODI: 86 off 31 balls
Across three matches, he has now amassed 179 runs at a strike rate near 220, making him India’s leading run-scorer in the series and second overall.
Such numbers would be impressive for any senior international — for a 14-year-old, they’re unprecedented.
IPL Brilliance Carries Forward
This Youth ODI rampage follows closely on the heels of Suryavanshi’s breakthrough in the IPL 2025, where he smashed a century for Rajasthan Royals, becoming the youngest player to score a hundred in the league’s history. His strokeplay, confidence, and maturity had already attracted widespread praise from legends of the game.
With his performances for both club and country, it is now clear — India’s next batting superstar is already here.
Leadership in the Absence of Ayush Mhatre
With regular U-19 captain Ayush Mhatre missing the series due to injury, leadership responsibilities have been distributed across the team. In practice, Suryavanshi’s aggressive top-order batting has filled the leadership vacuum, galvanizing the group in critical moments.
His style — fearless, expressive, and intuitive — has drawn comparisons to Virender Sehwag, Rishabh Pant, and Suresh Raina in their early days. Each of them used the U-19 platform as a springboard to greatness. Suryavanshi seems well on his way down a similar path.
What Makes Suryavanshi Special?
-
Fearless Intent: He doesn’t hesitate to go after the best bowlers
-
Quick Reflexes: Allows him to dominate even short-pitched bowling
-
Situational Awareness: Knows when to accelerate and when to anchor
-
Youth with Maturity: His shot selection and tempo suggest a maturity well beyond his age
-
Cross-format Compatibility: Equally effective in T20s and 50-over matches
Reactions Pour In
The cricketing world was quick to react:
-
VVS Laxman: “This boy is special. Raw, fearless and so much talent. Reminds me of a young Raina.”
-
Ravi Shastri: “Vaibhav Suryavanshi — remember the name. India’s pipeline is on fire.”
-
Rajasthan Royals: “Once a Royal, always a Royal 💜🔥 Take a bow, champ!”
What Lies Ahead?
With two matches remaining in the series, India have the upper hand at 2-1. But more importantly, they have the momentum, and Suryavanshi has the cricketing world watching.
Will he continue his purple patch? Can he breach the three-figure mark in the next outing? One thing is certain — eyes will be glued to the screen whenever he walks out to bat.
The selectors are surely watching too. While Suryavanshi still has years before age allows him into senior international cricket, his performances are already forcing a rethink on how young talent is nurtured and transitioned.
The Birth of a Star
In a sport where maturity often takes years to blossom, Vaibhav Suryavanshi has bloomed at 14. His innings at Northampton wasn’t just about the sixes or the records — it was about the arrival of a generational talent.
India’s youth cricket history is rich, but few names have made such an impact, so young, in such a short span. From IPL arenas to Youth ODIs, Suryavanshi has proven that talent, when matched with fearless ambition and backed by opportunity, knows no age.
With the series still open, and a long career ahead, one thing is clear — we’re witnessing the dawn of something truly special.
Please check for information on the best betting sites in India – https://selectory.org/best-betting-sites/