Chelmsford — In a rain-curtailed third U19 Youth ODI, India’s rising cricket stars seized a 2-1 lead in the five-match series against England with a thrilling four-wicket victory — and all eyes were on 14-year-old prodigy Vaibhav Suryavanshi, who broke records and lit up the chase with a breathtaking 86 off just 31 balls.
The teenager, who had flirted with fifties in the previous two games, finally converted his form into fireworks, hammering nine sixes and six boundaries, the most sixes ever hit by an Indian batter in a U19 ODI. He surpassed the previous record of eight maximums set by Mandeep Singh, etching his name into the history books.
India chased down England’s 268/6 in just 34.3 overs, with Suryavanshi laying the foundation and bowling all-rounder Kanishk Chouhan (43 off 42)* steering the team to victory alongside RS Ambrish (31 off 37)* in a composed, unbeaten 75-run stand for the seventh wicket.
Suryavanshi’s intent was clear from the outset. In the third over, he launched pacer Sebastian Morgan for two consecutive sixes. His blitz continued with more boundaries and sixes against Morgan and left-arm seamer James Minto, whom he clobbered for 23 runs in a single over, including three sixes.
India had stormed to 111 in under eight overs when Suryavanshi was dismissed — caught by Joseph Moores off Alexander Wade — but the middle-order wobble that followed didn’t prevent a strong finish. India stumbled to 199/6, but Kanishk and Ambrish soaked up pressure to see the side home with 33 balls to spare.
Earlier in the day, England skipper Thomas Rew top-scored with a quickfire 76 off 44 balls, while opener Ben Dawkins rediscovered his touch with a well-compiled 62. Dawkins and Isaac Mohammed (41) laid the foundation with a 78-run stand at the top of the order. Despite early moisture on the pitch, England managed a competitive 268/6.
But it wasn’t enough to hold off India’s charge — led by a 14-year-old sensation who may just be the next big thing in Indian cricket.
Score Summary:
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England U19: 268/6 (Thomas Rew 76*, Ben Dawkins 62; Kanishk Chouhan 3/30)
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India U19: 269/6 in 34.3 overs (Vaibhav Suryavanshi 86, Kanishk Chouhan 43*, RS Ambrish 31*)
India won by 4 wickets; lead the series 2–1.
