Prodigy, Suryavanshi (14), leads India to series-sealing Youth ODI win
The brilliance of 14-year-old Indian prodigy Vaibhav Suryavanshi ultimately overshadowed a century from Jason Rowles as India u19 secured victory in the three-match Youth ODI series with a second successive victory over South Africa u19 on Monday.
The eight-wicket win in a rain-affected contest at Willowmoore Park saw the visitors take a winning 2-0 lead in the three-match series.
Suryavanshi first captured global attention in 2024 when the Indian Premier League‘s Rajasthan Royals signed him at just 13 years of age. In 2025, he made history by debuting at 14 and, since then, the teenage sensation has continued to shatter records.
On Monday, in Benoni, he broke Rishabh Pant‘s record for the fastest half-century at u19 level, reaching the milestone from just 15 balls to better Pant’s mark by three balls.
Last year, Suryavanshi registered the fastest century at the Youth ODI level, requiring only 52 balls to reach triple figures against England in Worcester.
His innings on Monday lasted only 24 balls, produced 68 runs, and it included an astonishing 10 sixes and just one four. His assault placed India firmly in control while chasing South Africa’s 246, which was built around a superb innings from 17-year-old Jason Rowles.
He batted with authority, facing 113 deliveries for his 114 before being dismissed by India‘s standout bowler on the day, Kishan Kumar, who finished with figures of 4/46. The top-order batsman from the Central Gauteng Lions punished anything short, striking three sixes and seven fours.
However, he received limited support. Only Daniel Bosman (31) and Adnaan Lagadien (25) also made it past 20.
In contrast, Suryavanshi, who captained the visitors, enjoyed solid support. Abhigyan Kundu (48*) and Vedant Trivedi (31*) both contributed unbeaten knocks as India cruised to a Duckworth-Lewis-Stern (DLS) revised target of 174 following rain delays. Thanks to Suryavanshi’s fireworks, it took India only 23.3 overs to complete the run chase.
Despite the dominance of the Indian batting line-up, Michael Kruiskamp stood out with the ball for South Africa, claiming the only two wickets to fall, which included bringing an end to Suryavanshi‘s breathtaking blitzkrieg.
Summarised Scorecard:
South Africa u19 245/10 (Jason Rowles 114, Daniel Bosman 31, Adnaan Lagadien 25; Kishan Kumar 4/46, Ramanujam Sukumar Ambrish 2/47); India u19 176/2 (Vaibhav Sooryavanshi 68, Abhigyan Kundu 48*, Vedant Trivedi 31*, Aaron George 20; Michael Kruiskamp 2/23). India u19 won by eight wickets (DLS).
