Vaibhav Suryavanshi Scores Record T20 Century at 14

Fourteen-year-old batting prodigy Vaibhav Suryavanshi made headlines on Friday with a stunning performance for India A in the Rising Stars Asia Cup at West End Park International Cricket Stadium. The young talent scored a record-matching 32-ball T20 century, leaving both the UAE bowlers and match commentators astonished. His fearless approach and composure at such a young age won admiration from fans and experts alike.

Suryavanshi’s innings was extraordinary. He smashed 144 runs off just 42 balls, hitting 15 sixes and 11 fours to take India A to 297/4. The team eventually won by 148 runs, but it was Vaibhav’s innings that stole the spotlight. A commentator humorously remarked that the teenager had delivered a set of “philosophy lessons” on composure and focus, reflecting not only his cricketing skills but also his maturity in handling high-pressure situations.

Earlier in the day, Suryavanshi had politely turned down selfie requests to remain mentally focused. This discipline paid off on the field. During the innings break, he spoke about the importance of staying calm and concentrating on the game. “Fans come to support us. I don’t feel any pressure. And once you step onto the ground, you don’t hear anything from outside,” he said. His focus and clarity of thought impressed everyone watching, demonstrating a remarkable mindset for a 14-year-old.

Vaibhav also acknowledged the role of his father in shaping his discipline and approach. “I want to give credit to my father. He kept me very disciplined from childhood. Back then, I used to wonder why he was so strict, but now I understand. Its effect shows on the field — I don’t get distracted,” he said. He expressed gratitude for his journey in cricket, noting how far he has come from his early playing days to this historic moment.

With this innings, Suryavanshi joined Rishabh Pant as the joint-second-fastest Indian to score a T20 hundred, achieving it in just 32 balls. Only Urvil Patel and Abhishek Sharma have scored faster for India, while the world record belongs to Sahil Chauhan of Estonia with a 27-ball century. At 14 years and 232 days, he became the youngest player ever to score a hundred for any men’s national representative team. Remarkably, he is also the only cricketer with two T20 centuries in 35 balls or fewer, having previously scored a 35-ball IPL hundred.

Suryavanshi’s innings could have ended early when UAE captain Alishan Sharafu dropped a simple catch, but he capitalized fully on the opportunity. He came close to breaking other major T20 records, briefly threatening Tilak Varma’s Indian record and even Chris Gayle’s global landmark before being caught in the deep for 144. His performance was a testament to talent, focus, and mental strength.

As Vaibhav walked off the field, the India A team acknowledged his achievement, recognizing the emergence of one of cricket’s newest sensations. Beyond his batting, his calm and reflective nature impressed commentators and fans, making him not only a record-breaking cricketer but also a young voice of maturity and insight in the game.