India Under-19 produced a stunning batting display in Dubai, putting 433/6 on the board against UAE in their Asia Cup opener on Friday. It is now India’s highest score in U-19 ODIs, going past the 425/3 made against Scotland in 2004. The side also became the first team to hit three 400+ totals in youth ODIs, adding to earlier efforts against Scotland (425/3) and Uganda (405/5 in 2022).
Suryavanshi’s 171 Steals The Show
The innings revolved around 14-year-old Vaibhav Suryavanshi, who hammered 171 off 95 balls. His knock is the second-highest by an Indian in youth ODIs. He smashed 14 sixes and nine fours, setting the record for the most sixes in a single U-19 Asia Cup innings. Afghanistan’s Darwish Rasooli held the previous mark with 10 sixes in 2017. Suryavanshi now has 26 sixes in the tournament, breaking Rasooli’s Asian record too.
Strong Support At The Top
Vihaan Malhotra and Aaron George added stability with identical scores of 69 each. Ayush Mhatre, fresh from his Chennai Super Kings exposure, fell early after edging Yug Sharma to Aleh Amin. India’s innings, however, never lost momentum on the quick outfield at the ICC Academy Ground.
UAE’s Chase In Trouble
UAE’s reply has fallen apart early. Chasing 434, they slipped to 55/6 in 15.2 overs, leaving them with 379 needed from 208 balls. Deepesh Devendran has led the attack with 2 for 6, while Khilan Patel has chipped in with 1 for 1. Ahmed Khudada and Uddish Suri are fighting on, but India remain firmly in control.
Group A Stakes
India are grouped with UAE, Pakistan and Malaysia in the eight-team tournament. The match at ICC Academy has already underlined why India enter the event as favourites.
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