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IND vs ENG: Vaibhav Suryavanshi hits second-fastest fifty by an Indian in U19 ODIs
Vaibhav Suryavanshi made headlines on Wednesday by smashing the second-fastest half-century by an Indian in Under-19 ODIs, during the third Youth ODI against England in Northampton. The 14-year-old reached his fifty in just 20 balls, bringing it up with a towering six off James Minto, and went on to hammer 86 off only 31 Rishabh Pant has scored a quicker half-century for India in this format - an 18-ball blitz against Nepal during the 2016 Under-19 World a challenging target of 269 in a rain-curtailed 40-over contest, Suryavanshi provided India with the ideal platform. Despite the early dismissal of stand-in captain Abhigyan Kundu, the left-hander signalled his intent by cracking two boundaries within his first 13 balls. What followed was an exhibition of clean, fearless hitting - nine sixes and six fours flowed from his bat as he dismantled the English bowling attack.
His explosive innings eventually ended when he was caught in the deep, but not before tilting the momentum decisively in India's favour. His dismissal was quickly followed by that of Chavda, leaving India three down but still well ahead of the asking England had posted 268 for 6 after being asked to bat first. Captain Thomas Rew led the charge with an unbeaten 76 off just 44 balls, peppered with nine fours and three sixes. Opener BJ Dawkins provided a solid foundation with a fluent 62, while Isaac Mohammed chipped in with bowlers did well to rein in the scoring after a brisk start. Kanishk Chauhan was the pick of the attack, claiming 3 for 38 and sparking a middle-order wobble. He clean bowled Ben Mayes, removed Rocky Flintoff in his next over, and later dismissed Joseph Moores for a duck. Naman Pushpak and Deepesh Devendran also chipped in with a wicket each, while Vivaan Malhotra trapped Mohammed LBW to break a dangerous the five-match series tied 1-1 going into this encounter, Suryavanshi's record-setting knock could well prove to be the turning point. His fearless batting at the top has already emerged as a standout feature of the series - and at just 14, he's giving Indian cricket fans plenty to be excited about.- EndsYou May Also Like
