India’s ACC U19 Asia Cup 2025 debut could not have been more spectacular when 14-year-old batting sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi fired a record-breaking innings of 171 off just 95 balls, a solo charge that put India in a dominant position against the hosts UAE in Dubai on Friday.
It was the Rajasthan Royals junior who, Vaibhav being already one of the greatest bright young talents in world cricket, went on to change the entire history by scoring more runs than any other Indian in the U19 Asia Cup, obliterating the record set by Himanshu Rana with 130 against Afghanistan in Colombo in 2016.
Breaks Multiple Asia Cup Records
Sooryavanshi’s innings wasn’t just monumental — it was historic across several metrics:
Most sixes in a single innings in U19 Asia Cup history: 14
(Previous: Darwish Rasooli’s 10 for Afghanistan in 2017)
Fastest century of the tournament by an Indian: 56 balls
Highest strike rate for an innings over 150 runs
His blistering knock also put him among the highest run-scorers in the tournament’s all-time list, only behind Bangladesh’s Soumya Sarkar, who smashed 209 against Qatar in 2012.
A Slow Start Followed by Absolute Carnage
Interestingly, Sooryavanshi began his innings with pressure building, five consecutive dot balls against Ali Asghar Shums. But one boundary was all he needed to flip the switch.
From that moment onward, UAE’s bowlers had no answers. In Shums’ very next over, Vaibhav launched two massive sixes, setting the tone for what would become a record-breaking exhibition of power-hitting.
Milestones During the Innings
50 in 30 balls
100 in 56 balls
150 in 84 balls
His innings, studded with 14 sixes and nine fours, came at a remarkable strike rate of 180. He was eventually dismissed in the 33rd over with India cruising at 265/3, well on track for a 400-plus total.
A Meteoric Rise: From Viral Phenom to Global Cricketing Prodigy
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s rise is one of the biggest global sporting stories of the year. His achievements extend far beyond one innings:
Most-searched Indian on Google in 2025, 6th overall globally
Sensational IPL debut season
Hit a six off his first ball
Scored a 35-ball century
Named Super Striker of the Season
Fastest century in Youth ODIs
144 off 42 balls at the Rising Stars Asia Cup
Youngest centurion in Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy history
Scored an unbeaten 108 off 61 for Bihar
His explosive batting has made him a social media icon as well. Last month, Instagram spotlighted his journey on its official global page — making him only the second Indian cricketer after Virat Kohli to receive the honour.
The Future of Indian Cricket?
Still only 14, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi is already drawing comparisons with some of the most dominant young batters in recent memory. With an Asia Cup record now added to his rapidly expanding portfolio of achievements, the teenager continues to cement his place as one of India’s brightest cricketing prospects.
From age-group tournaments to the IPL and now the U19 Asia Cup, Sooryavanshi’s career trajectory is nothing short of remarkable and the world is watching closely.
