In a performance that left the cricketing world in awe, 15-year-old sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi unleashed a devastating 94-run blitz off just 29 balls against Sri Lanka A in the Tri-Nation Series final in Dambulla. His remarkable innings not only secured a crucial victory for India A but also shattered a 21-year-old record for the fastest List A fifty.
Sooryavanshi wasted no time, dispatching the very first delivery he faced for a boundary off Mohamed Shiraz. He went on to smash ten fours and eight sixes, showcasing an incredible display of power-hitting. His 11-ball half-century broke the long-standing record held by Sri Lanka’s Kaushalya Weeraratne, who achieved the milestone in 12 balls back in 2005.
A Grudge Match Performance
The young prodigy, who is slated to make his India debut later this month, saved his most explosive performance for the summit clash. Despite failing to make significant scores in the league stage, Sooryavanshi arrived with a clear intent in the final. His first five balls alone yielded two sixes and three fours, setting the tone for his destructive innings.
Reports suggest a heated exchange with a Sri Lanka A player in an earlier league fixture fueled Sooryavanshi’s determination, leading many to label this final as a ‘revenge match’. His ability to hit good balls out of the park was evident as he reached his half-century with consecutive sixes straight down the ground off pacer Dulaj Samuditha.
Almost a Historic Century
Sooryavanshi was tantalizingly close to equalling Jake Fraser-McGurk’s 29-ball List A century record but was caught at mid-off in the ninth over with the score at 132. Nevertheless, his 94 runs off 29 balls, including 10 fours and 8 sixes, cemented his status as a rare talent.
The boy from Bihar has already earned an India T20I call-up for upcoming tours of Ireland and England, following breathtaking performances in the IPL playoffs. His effortless sixes over extra cover, three in total, were a particular highlight of an innings that will be remembered for years to come.
