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Vaibhav Suryavanshi Smashes Fastest U19 ODI Fifty as India Seal Series vs South Africa
Summary: Vaibhav Suryavanshi lit up Benoni with a breathtaking 24-ball 68, smashing the fastest fifty in U19 ODI history, as India U-19 crushed South Africa U-19 by 8 wickets (DLS) to seal the Youth ODI series 2-0 ahead of the U-19 World Cup.
Match Highlights: One Captain, One Statement Knock
Indian cricket fans witnessed a glimpse of the future on Monday as India U-19 captain Vaibhav Suryavanshi produced one of the most explosive innings ever seen at the youth level during the second Youth ODI against South Africa at Willowmoore Park, Benoni.
Chasing a revised DLS target of 174 runs in 27 overs, India were already well ahead of the game when bad weather once again played spoilsport. At the time of the first interruption due to lightning, India were 115 for 2 in just 12.5 overs, largely thanks to Suryavanshi’s brutal assault on the South African bowlers.
Play resumed briefly, but persistent weather issues forced officials to call off the match when India reached 176 for 2 in 23.3 overs, officially declaring India winners by eight wickets via the DLS method.
Suryavanshi’s Record-Breaking Blitz
Before the stoppages, Suryavanshi delivered a knock that will be remembered for years.
- Runs: 68
- Balls: 24
- Sixes: 10
- Fours: 1
- Strike Rate: Over 280
The young skipper reached his half-century in just 15 balls, breaking Rishabh Pant’s 18-ball record, which had stood since the 2016 U-19 World Cup match against Nepal in Dhaka.
His fearless approach completely took the game away from South Africa, showcasing not just raw power but also supreme confidence and leadership-qualities that make him one of India’s brightest U-19 prospects heading into the World Cup.
Calm Support Around the Fireworks
While Suryavanshi stole the spotlight, India’s middle order showed maturity and control:
- Abhigyan Kundu played a fluent knock of 48 off 42 balls*, rotating strike smartly.
- Vedant Trivedi anchored the innings with a composed 31 off 57 balls*, ensuring there was no panic during the interruptions.
Their partnership under pressure highlighted the depth and balance in India’s U-19 batting unit.
South Africa’s Fight: Jason Rowles’ Century
Earlier, South Africa U-19 posted 245 runs, being bowled out in 49.3 overs, thanks to a determined century by Jason Rowles.
Rowles’ innings:
- 114 runs off 117 balls
- 7 fours and 3 sixes
Despite his effort, South Africa struggled to accelerate in the latter half of the innings due to disciplined Indian bowling.
India’s Bowling Impact
India’s bowlers laid the foundation for victory:
- Kishan Singh: 8.3 overs, 1 maiden, 4/46
- RS Ambrish: 2/47
Their consistent line and length ensured South Africa never fully capitalised on a decent start.
Series Status & What’s Next
With this win, India U-19 have taken an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match Youth ODI series.
The first ODI was also rain-affected, where India emerged victorious by 25 runs via DLS method.
This series is a crucial warm-up for the ICC U-19 World Cup, which begins on January 15 across Zimbabwe and Namibia. Performances like Suryavanshi’s send a strong message to rival teams ahead of the global tournament.
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