17 January,2026 08:04 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Vaibhav Suryavanshi. FILE PIC
Fourteen-year-old Vaibhav Suryavanshi continued his fairytale rise in youth cricket with another stunning performance during India's ICC Under-19 World Cup 2026 encounter against Bangladesh in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe.
Asked to bat first at the Queens Sports Club after Bangladesh opted to bowl on a damp surface, India stumbled early. The top order was rattled inside the first few overs, and by the third over the scoreboard already showed two wickets down. With pressure mounting, Suryavanshi walked in and instantly changed the mood.
Walking in with India wobbling, Suryavanshi refused to play cautiously. Instead, he counter-attacked with confident strokeplay, driving through covers and pulling with authority. His intent was clear from the outset. The teenager sprinted to his half-century in just 30 balls, instantly changing the tempo of the match.
Vaibhav eventually scored 72 from 67 deliveries, laced with six fours and three sixes. Though he fell short of a century, his innings provided stability after the early collapse and gave India a fighting platform against a disciplined Bangladesh bowling unit.
The knock was historic in more ways than one. At just 14 years and 296 days, Suryavanshi became the youngest cricketer to register a 50-plus score in a Men's Under-19 World Cup match. He surpassed Afghanistan's Shahidullah Kamal, who held the previous record at 15 years and 19 days, while Pakistan great Babar Azam now sits third on the list.
For a player barely into his teens, joining such elite company underlines how quickly Vaibhav is fast becoming the face of India's youth campaign and the youngest half-centurion in U-19 World Cup history.
Suryavanshi also crossed another landmark during the Bangladesh clash. In only 20 Youth ODIs, he has gone past the 1000-run mark, overtaking stalwart Virat Kohli's tally of 978 runs. With over 1040 runs already, Vaibhav is rapidly climbing India's list of top Youth ODI run-getters and is now closing in on names such as Vijay Zol and Yashasvi Jaiswal.
Consistency at such a young age has become his biggest asset, making him one of the most watched prospects of the tournament.
The contest carried tension even before the first ball. India's captain, Ayush Mhatre, and Bangladesh's Tamim skipped the traditional pre-match handshake.
Bangladesh's decision to bowl first after the rain delay added further intrigue to the contest.
But amid all the off-field narratives and early setbacks, the spotlight remained firmly on Vaibhav Suryavanshi. Calm under pressure, fearless by nature and historic by achievement, the 14-year-old once again proved that India's Under-19 World Cup journey is being shaped by a prodigy who already looks destined for bigger stages.
