In a stunning display of skill and determination, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi shattered a 21-year-old record by scoring the fastest half-century in List A cricket. This electrifying performance came against Sri Lanka A in the Tri-Nation Series final in Dambulla, a match charged with the tension of a previous physical altercation between the teams.
Sooryavanshi, who had faced criticism for his attitude after India A’s loss in the Super Over during their last encounter, made his intentions clear hours before the final with an Instagram story simply stating “100.” Though he narrowly missed a century, falling short by just six runs, his 29-ball 94 sent shockwaves through the Sri Lanka A team.
Record-Breaking Innings
Operating in full “revenge mode,” Sooryavanshi’s innings was a masterclass in aggressive batting, featuring eight sixes and 10 fours. He reached his fifty in an astonishing 11 balls, eclipsing Sri Lanka’s Kaushalya Weeraratne’s long-standing record of a 12-ball fifty. Opening the batting, this marked his first fifty for India A, achieved with five fours and five sixes.
Despite his blistering pace, the teenage batter was eventually dismissed by Sri Lanka A skipper Sahan Arachchige in the ninth over for 94 runs off 29 deliveries, ending his bid for a record century.
A Rising Star’s Milestones
Sooryavanshi’s meteoric rise continues to impress. Earlier this month, he earned his maiden call-up to India’s T20I squad for the upcoming tours of Ireland and England, as well as the Asian Games 2026. At just 15 years and 71 days old, the left-handed opener became the youngest player ever selected for India’s men’s team, surpassing Sachin Tendulkar’s 36-year-old record.
Tendulkar made his India debut in 1989 at 16 years and 205 days, making him the youngest Indian to play in a senior international cricket match. If Sooryavanshi plays during the tour, he will also become the youngest player to debut for India in men’s international cricket. The current record for the youngest Indian to play a T20I is held by Washington Sundar, who debuted at 18 years and 80 days in 2017. Tendulkar also holds the record for the youngest Indian player in ODI cricket history, making his debut at 16 years and 238 days in 1989.
