Batting phenomenon Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has powered India’s teens to Under-19 World Cup glory in Zimbabwe with perhaps the greatest innings witnessed in any global cricket final.
The 14-year-old, who’s already become an icon to a cricket-mad nation with his freakish and precocious feats in the IPL, lived up to all the hype once more in Harare on Friday, flaying England’s attack for an incredible 175 off just 80 balls to set India on the way to a 100-run victory.
The astounding knock, featuring 15 sixes and 15 fours, was the highest ever recorded in an ICC global final at either junior or senior level, with Sooryavanshi eclipsing Australian star Alyssa Healy’s 170 in the 2022 women’s World Cup final against England in Christchurch.
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Playing against opponents four or five years older than him, the youngster who’s already been dubbed ‘Boss Baby’ for his IPL exploits made it look as if he was the man among boys as he raced to a 55-ball hundred, only ever bettered for speed by Australian Will Malajczuk’s 51-ball ton against Japan earlier in the tournament.
But this masterclass was against the finest young teenage bowling prospects in England, whose best efforts were all treated with disdain at the Harare Sports Club by the staggering power of this generational talent.
“We have no words for his innings. We know he is a fabulous batsman and he’s shown in this match what he can do,” said India’s captain Ayush Mhatre, while England skipper Thomas Rew could only admit: “We were left scratching our heads.”
Social media quickly lit up at the incredible innings with Indian legend Sachin Tendulkar among those to post.
“Champions! So proud of this young group and the fearless cricket they played. Well done to the entire team, including coaches and support staff. Enjoy the moment!” Tendulkar wrote on X.
“When you have a Sooryavanshi, a timeless blockbuster is expected! Well done, Vaibhav!”
Fellow great Ravichandran Ashwin added: “15 fours and 15 sixes with 85.7 per cent of his runs in boundaries. That’s absurd. Vaibhav has owned the big stage like he’s born for it. A prodigy with serious big match temperament. This kid is knocking on the doors of international cricket hard & fast. Post the T20 World Cup, don’t be surprised if that door opens.”
It probably should have come as no surprise as Sooryavanshi had already marked everyone’s card last April when he hit a ton from just 35 balls in the IPL for Rajasthan Royals to become the youngest ever centurion in men’s professional cricket.
Sooryavanshi, who’s not 15 until next month, kept clearing the ropes by a distance, with his 15 sixes proving a new record for maximums in any youth ODI innings, breaking his own record of 14 when he smashed UAE for 171 in December.
Australian crowds had already been treated to his brilliance when he starred during India’s Under-19s’ tour last September and October, scoring 113 off just 86 balls, featuring eight sixes, in their Brisbane Test victory.
He had threatened an innings like this throughout the tournament, scoring three lightning 50s without being able to kick on. This time, though, he took just 16 balls to race from 100 to 150, completing that landmark off a record 71 balls.
“I had faith in my skills that I can contribute in big games and today it happened,” smiled Sooryavanshi, after picking up the player-of-the-tournament award.
Amazingly, he was already eyeing a double century with the innings barely past the halfway mark and India doubtless contemplating the prospect of getting 500.
To England’s relief, Sooryavanshi eventually gloved one down the legside rather unluckily but he’d laid the platform for India to eventually make 9-411, a record for any final, off their 50 overs, with captain Mhatre the next highest scorer on 53.
England, who’d knocked out champions Australia in the semis, gave their chase a real go, finding their own exciting centurion in Caleb Falconer, but even the Middlesex prospect’s sparkling 115 off 67 balls, featuring seven sixes, and Ben Dawkins’ 66 proved in vain as they were bowled out for 311 off 40.2 overs.
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