Fourteen-year-old batting prodigy Vaibhav Suryavanshi produced a performance that will be remembered for years across the cricketing world. In India A’s opening clash against UAE at the Rising Stars Asia Cup in Doha, the young sensation smashed a jaw-dropping 144 off just 42 balls, firing India A to an enormous 297/4 and etching his name deeper into cricket’s record books.

What unfolded at the West End Park International Cricket Stadium felt less like a typical T20 innings and more like an exhibition of next-generation dominance—a blend of raw power, fearless strokeplay, and the maturity of a seasoned campaigner.

A 32-Ball Century: Suryavanshi Rewrites India A History

Walking out to open the innings after India A chose to bat first, Suryavanshi took only a few balls to find his rhythm. But once set, he unleashed an onslaught unlike anything UAE’s bowlers had anticipated.

He blasted his century in just 32 deliveries, becoming:

• The first-ever player to score a T20 century for India A

• The joint second-fastest Indian to score a T20 hundred in men’s cricket

• The youngest player to score a century for a national representative senior team

By the time he reached his maiden milestone, he had already clubbed 10 boundaries and nine sixes, showcasing impeccable timing and astonishing power.

His batting graph skyrocketed after a 17-ball half-century, as he required only 15 more deliveries to get to the next fifty—an acceleration very few international players have ever managed.

Even more impressively, at just 14 years old, he has become the first cricketer in history to score two T20 centuries in 35 balls or fewer.

A Knock Forged in Power: 15 Sixes, 11 Fours, and a 342.85 Strike Rate

Suryavanshi eventually fell in the 13th over, caught at deep cover, but not before inflicting irreparable damage with 15 monstrous sixes and 11 fours.

His strike rate—342.85—is the fourth-highest ever in men’s T20 cricket for innings of 100 runs or more.

His boundary dominance was unparalleled: 134 out of his 144 runs (93.05%) came from fours and sixes. Only three other players in T20 history have recorded a higher percentage of runs in boundaries.

Even moments that didn’t go for six showcased his hunger. In one over, after smashing four sixes, he hit a four off the penultimate delivery and expressed visible frustration for not clearing the ropes again.

Joint Third-Fastest T20 Century by an Indian: The Elite List

Suryavanshi’s knock has now placed him alongside some of India’s finest modern-day T20 hitters.

Fastest T20 centuries by Indian men:

• 28 balls – Urvil Patel (2024)

• 28 balls – Abhishek Sharma (2024)

• 32 balls – Vaibhav Suryavanshi (2025)

• 32 balls – Rishabh Pant (2018)

• 35 balls – Rohit Sharma (2017)

• 35 balls – Vaibhav Suryavanshi, IPL 2025

To achieve this at 14 years and 232 days is a staggering feat. Previously, the youngest player to record a senior-level hundred for a national representative side was Bangladesh’s Mushfiqur Rahim at 16 years, 171 days. Suryavanshi has beaten that record by nearly two years.

India A’s Mammoth Total and the Supporting Acts

While Suryavanshi dominated the narrative, there were crucial contributions from the other end too.

• Priyansh Arya, who opened with him, scored a quick 10 off 6.

• Naman Dhir, coming in at No. 3, played a steady role with a controlled 34 off 23 balls, which included three fours and two sixes.

• Captain Jitesh Sharma, walking in after Suryavanshi’s dismissal, ensured India A finished strong. He smashed an unbeaten 83 off just 32 balls, maintaining the devastating tempo.

Thanks to these combined efforts, India A reached 297/4, which stands as the joint fifth-highest total in men's T20 cricket, one of India's top T20 totals across all formats. UAE never really threatened in response, managing 149/7, as India A secured a 148-run victory. Left-arm pacer Gurjapneet Singh impressed with his figures of 3/18 in 4 overs.

Highest Innings Totals in Men’s T20 Cricket

India A’s massive total now enters an elite club:

India A now proudly finds its place just behind these monumental totals.

Growing Legacy: IPL Heroics, Youth ODI Records, and Rising Stardom

This extraordinary knock wasn’t a one-off flash of brilliance. Suryavanshi has been consistently demolishing records across tournaments.

His journey so far includes:

• Youngest player to score an IPO century

• Second-fastest century in IPL history (35 balls for Rajasthan Royals in 2025)

• Fastest Youth ODI century for India (52 balls vs England U19)

• Most sixes in Youth ODI cricket, surpassing Unmukt Chand

• Impressive tours of Australia and England

• Swift elevation to India A at just 14

Former India batter Priyank Panchal even took to social media to predict Suryavanshi’s rapid rise to the senior Indian team, though he cautioned against rushing his development.

The Mind Behind the Brilliance: What Makes Suryavanshi Special?

Cricketers and coaches often highlight the rare combination of talent and mindset required to excel at the highest levels. Rahul Dravid—who coached him during IPL 2025—summarised it best.

Dravid said on Breakfast with Champions:

“It’s not the skill. Skill he has. But it’s the mindset. You can’t teach that mindset… You just manage it, own it, and give him the freedom to express himself.”

The most telling example, he added, was Suryavanshi hitting international bowler Shardul Thakur for a six off the first ball of his IPL career. It reflected not arrogance, but clarity and courage.

Words from the Prodigy: No Pressure, Only Focus

Despite taking the cricketing world by storm, Suryavanshi remains astonishingly grounded.

Speaking after the innings, he said:

• On dealing with expectations: “I do not feel any pressure because fans are here to support me. When I am out on the field, I only think about how to play the ball.”

• On his mindset after being dropped first ball: “I just didn’t want to change my intent. The wicket was good, the boundary was small, and we needed a big score.”

• On his biggest source of strength: “The credit goes to my father. He was strict with me and now I understand the benefit. Whatever I have is thanks to him.”

His maturity, clarity, and discipline at such a young age are as remarkable as the runs he scores.

India A Squad and Upcoming Fixtures

India A squad: Priyansh Arya, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Nehal Wadhera, Naman Dhir (VC), Suryansh Shedge, Jitesh Sharma (C & WK), Ramandeep Singh, Harsh Dubey, Ashutosh Sharma, Yash Thakur, Gurjapneet Singh, Vijay Kumar Vyshak, Yudhvir Singh Charak, Abhisek Porel (WK), Suyash Sharma.

Stand-by players: Gurnoor Singh Brar, Kumar Kushagra, Tanush Kotian, Sameer Rizvi, Shaik Rasheed.

India A schedule (Group B):

• 14 November – vs UAE

• 16 November – vs Pakistan A

• 18 November – vs Oman

A Star Being Born Before Our Eyes

Vaibhav Suryavanshi’s 42-ball 144 is more than just another record-breaking T20 innings. It’s a glimpse of a generational talent at the dawn of his career, already rewriting norms, defying age barriers, and displaying a poise far beyond his years.

His batting carries echoes of cricket’s most fearless hitters—but with the promise of something entirely new. If nurtured correctly, India may well be witnessing the rise of one of its most extraordinary batting superstars.

At 14, Vaibhav is not just breaking records—he’s redefining what is possible at the intersection of youthfulness and elite cricket.

With inputs from agencies

Image Source: Multiple agencies

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