Everyone had their eyes set on Vaibhav Suryavanshi. The 13-year-old had made history, becoming the youngest-ever pick at an Indian Premier League (IPL) auction. Since joining Rajasthan Royals for Rs 1.10 crore, the teenager has been in the news. First, it was allegations of age fraud, with many claiming Vaibhav had fudged his age and that he wasn’t really 13.
Vaibhav Suryavanshi’s slow start in U19 Asia Cup
Then the headline changed to his failures in the Under-19 Asia Cup 2024. In the India vs Pakistan U19 match, he scored just 1, and then against Japan, Vaibhav scored a run-a-ball 13. Such is the current online world we live in that many started to criticise the 13-year-old. Luckily, the Bihar boy has a good head on himself and an ecosystem around him.
In the very next game, he notched up a fifty. Against the UAE, he managed to remain unbeaten at 76 as he and opening partner Aysuh Mhatre chased down the 138-run target with ease. Back among runs, Vaibhav decided to make his form count.
Latest in Cricket
Suryvanshi stands up in the semifinal
Today, in the semifinal against Sri Lanka, the Indian bowlers once again skittled the opposition out for a low total, and Vaibhav, along with Ayush, got on the job. Chasing 174, India U19 were 91/0 after 8.2 overs. Unfortunately, Ayush went out, but Vaibhav continued and soon after scored his second consecutive half-century, that too in just 24 balls.
He continued to bat at a rapid pace. However, couldn’t take the India U19 home. In the 14th over, Praveen Maneesha got the better of Vaibhav, cleaning him up for 67. India were just 41 runs away and although it looked tough for Vaibhav to score an hundred, he could have ended the game unbeaten like the last match and entered the final with even more confidence.
Vaibhav Suryavanshi’s scores in U19 Asia Cup
- 1(9) vs Pakistan
- 23(23) vs Japan
- 76(46)* vs UAE
- 67(36) vs Sri Lanka, semifinal
Editor's Pick
Cricket
KL Rahul rested from IND vs ENG ODIs after BCCI assures keeper of ICC Champions Trophy spot: Reports
Top Stories
