14-year-old Suryavanshi smashes record 86 as India U-19 crush England in rain-hit thriller

In a performance that rewrote the record books and sent shockwaves through the cricketing world, 14-year-old Vaibhav Suryavanshi unleashed a whirlwind 86 off just 31 deliveries to propel India’s U-19 team to a stunning four-wicket win over England in the rain-curtailed third Youth ODI on July 2.

The blistering knock — laced with six boundaries and a record nine sixes — not only powered India to chase down England’s 268/6 in just 34.3 overs but also etched Suryavanshi’s name into history as the Indian batter with the most sixes in an U-19 ODI.

The teenage phenom, who had fallen short of a half-century in the previous two matches, finally delivered on his promise, dismantling the English bowling attack with fearless authority. From the moment he hammered right-arm pacer Sebastian Morgan for two sixes in the third over, it was clear Suryavanshi had arrived with intent.

He punished Morgan again in his next over, slamming two more sixes and a boundary, before tearing into James Minto for 23 runs in the sixth over — including three towering sixes.

By the time he fell to pacer Alexander Wade, caught by Joseph Moores, Suryavanshi had already demolished 111 runs from the target in just eight overs. His carnage left England rattled, though India’s chase briefly stumbled at 199/6 in the 24th over.

It was then that all-rounder Kanishk Chouhan — who had earlier claimed 3/30 with the ball — stepped up with a mature unbeaten 43, forging a 75-run match-winning stand with RS Ambrish (31*). Together, they guided India home with 33 balls to spare, sealing a commanding win and a 2–1 lead in the five-match series.

Earlier, England had posted a competitive 268/6 after a delayed start due to a wet outfield. Skipper Thomas Rew anchored the innings with a fiery unbeaten 76 off just 44 balls, while opener Ben Dawkins (62) and Isaac Mohammed (41) gave the hosts a solid start with a 78-run opening stand. Ben Mayes added 31 to keep the momentum going, but the late onslaught from Rew proved crucial in setting a defendable target.

However, on a day when a 14-year-old redefined fearless cricket, even a total nearing 270 was not enough.

Brief scores:

England U-19: 268/6 in 42.2 overs (Rew 76*, Dawkins 62, Mohammed 41; Chouhan 3/30)
India U-19: 274/6 in 34.3 overs (Suryavanshi 86, Malhotra 46, Chouhan 43*, Ambrish 31*; Wade 2/58)