Vaibhav Suryavanshi Scores 144 Off 42, Sparks Talk of Rapid Promotion to Senior Team

In a dazzling display of power-hitting at the West End Park International Cricket Stadium, 14-year-old Vaibhav Suryavanshi from Bihar, India, smashed an unbeaten 144 off just 42 balls to propel India A to a commanding 148-run victory over the UAE in their opening Group B match of the Rising Stars Asia Cup 2025 on Friday. The left-handed opener's explosive innings, featuring 11 fours and 15 sixes, came at a staggering strike rate of 342.86 and included a 32-ball century—the joint second-fastest by an Indian in men's T20 cricket. Suryavanshi's blitzkrieg not only earned him the Player of the Match award but also drew widespread acclaim, with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) hailing it as a "magnificent" performance on social media.

Suryavanshi's knock set the tone after India A, led by captain Jitesh Sharma, opted to bat first following an early dismissal of opener Priyansh Arya for 10 off six balls. The teenager, who dropped off the first ball he faced, unleashed relentless carnage, forging a 163-run partnership off 57 balls with Naman Dhir (34 off 23) before departing in the 13th over to UAE spinner Muhammad Farazuddin, caught at deep cover. Despite the untimely wicket, India A racked up 297/4—the joint-fifth highest total in men's T20 history—with Sharma anchoring the lower order via an unbeaten 83 off 32 balls. This marked the first-ever T20 century for an India A batter and showcased Suryavanshi's evolution from a promising youth prospect to a bona fide T20 sensation.

The prodigy, born on March 27, 2011, in Tajpur village, Samastipur district, has been turning heads since his domestic debut for Bihar in the Ranji Trophy at age 12, becoming one of the youngest first-class players in Indian cricket history. His ascent accelerated in 2025 when he became the youngest IPL signee at 13, acquired by Rajasthan Royals for INR 1.1 crore after impressing in trials. Earlier this year, he shattered records with a 35-ball century for Royals against Gujarat Titans—the fastest by an Indian in IPL history—followed by a 58-ball tonne on U19 Test debut against Australia. Suryavanshi's Bihar roots, where his father sold family land to fund his training, add a layer of inspiration to his rags-to-riches narrative, positioning him as a symbol of grassroots talent in Indian cricket.

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Former Gujarat batter Priyank Panchal, a domestic run-machine, predicted on X that Suryavanshi's "insane" exploits could fast-track him into India's senior team within two years, calling the performances "too exemplary to be ignored." The BCCI echoed the excitement, posting live updates of his milestones, while ex-India opener Shikhar Dhawan praised the youngster's fearless approach. Suryavanshi's 32-ball tonne now ranks alongside Rishabh Pant's 2018 effort, behind only Urvil Patel and Abhishek Sharma's 28-ball records from the 2024 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. As India A tops Group B ahead of a clash with Pakistan Shaheens, Suryavanshi's surge underscores the depth of emerging talent ready to challenge established stars.

UAE's chase crumbled under the weight of the target, managing just 149/7 in 20 overs despite Sohaib Khan's gritty 63 off 41 balls. India A's bowlers struck early, with Gurjapneet Singh claiming 3/18 in a miserly four-over spell, supported by Yash Thakur and Harsh Dubey (2 each). The emphatic win boosts India A's net run rate and sets up a mouthwatering showdown, but all eyes remain on Suryavanshi, whose trajectory suggests he could redefine T20 batting norms. As the tournament progresses, his story highlights India's robust youth pipeline, blending raw power with tactical maturity to fuel national ambitions in limited-overs cricket.

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