Vaibhav Suryavanshi smashes joint second-fastest fifty at U19 World Cup 2026
India U-19 vice-captain Vaibhav Sooryavanshi smashed a 24-ball fifty against Zimbabwe in the Super Six clash at Bulawayo, registering the joint second-fastest half-century of the ICC U19 World Cup and strengthening India’s dominant start.
The ICC Under-19 World Cup Super Six match between India and Zimbabwe showed that Vaibhav Sooryavanshi had advanced his status as a rising cricket player through his aggressive batting performance which included multiple boundary hits.
The 14-year-old southpaw started his opening batting when he attacked Zimbabwe bowlers during their Powerplay overs. Sooryavanshi scored most of his runs through clean hitting and intelligent shot selection as India reached 99 runs for 1 wicket after their first ten overs. The batsman reached his half-century mark after facing only 24 balls, which tied him with his captain Ayush Mhatre for the second-fastest fifty record in the tournament.
Sooryavanshi shines with quick fifty as India stay in control
Sooryavanshi executed his innings through a combination of aggressive play and controlled batting. He hit every delivery which he saw as overpitching while he controlled all short balls through powerful hits and he achieved successful batting through controlled movement during fielding break periods. His 52 came off 30 deliveries and included eight boundaries - four fours and four sixes - which showed his capacity to defeat bowlers through skillful hits instead of dangerous swinging techniques.
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Ayush Mhatre supported his partner by helping India keep their momentum during the match as Zimbabwe attempted to regain control after they gained permission to position four players outside the fielding circle. The pair maintained enough scoring speed for India to remain above the necessary run rate.
Sooryavanshi left the match during the 12th over when he tried to hit the ball over mid-off but instead threw the ball to the fielder who caught it to give Tatenda Chimugoro his wicket. The opposing team had already sustained major damage from his actions before they managed to dismiss him.
This represents Sooryavanshi's second tournament half-century after he scored 72 runs against Bangladesh. He has scored 166 runs this season with a batting average of 41.50 and a strike rate of 133.87 which currently makes him India's top run scorer while he remains one of the best players in the Under-19 World Cup.
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