Teen sensation Vaibhav Suryavanshi has taken world cricket by storm with one of the most explosive innings in T20 history. Playing for India A in their opening match of the Asia Cup Rising Stars 2025, the 14-year-old prodigy smashed a blistering 144 off just 42 deliveries, rewriting the record books and announcing himself as one of the brightest young talents in global cricket.
What made the innings even more remarkable was Suryavanshi’s hectic scoring pace. He brought up his century in just 32 balls, making it the joint-second fastest T20 hundred by any Indian man. This elite list previously included Rishabh Pant, who scored a 32-ball century for Delhi in 2018, and the domestic record holders Urvil Patel and Abhishek Sharma, both of whom reached the milestone in 28 deliveries during the 2024 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy.
Across world cricket, Suryavanshi’s unbelievable hundred now stands as the joint-fifth fastest century in men’s T20 history.
But this performance was special for reasons beyond just numbers. At 14 years and 232 days, Suryavanshi has become the youngest man to score a century for a national representative team at the senior level. He breaks the record previously held by Bangladesh’s Mushfiqur Rahim, who scored an unbeaten 111 at the age of 16 years and 171 days for Bangladesh A back in 2005.
His innings was as fearless as it was destructive. Remarkably, he was dropped off the very first ball, but made full use of the lifeline. From that point onward, his batting turned into a whirlwind of power and confidence. His knock included 11 boundaries and 15 towering sixes, a display of clean and relentless hitting. By the time he was dismissed in the 13th over, he had scored at an astonishing strike rate of 342.85 — the fourth-highest recorded for a T20 score above 100.
This century also happens to be Suryavanshi’s second in T20 cricket, following his stunning 35-ball hundred for the Rajasthan Royals during the IPL 2025. That innings had already made him the youngest player ever to score a T20 century and the second-fastest centurion in IPL history, behind only the legendary Chris Gayle’s 30-ball effort in 2011.
After his incredible knock against UAE, Suryavanshi explained that he simply trusted his instinctive style of play.
“It’s just my natural game,” he said. “It’s T20 cricket, so I wanted to back myself. Even though I was dropped first ball, I didn’t want to change my intent. We needed a big score, the wicket was good, and the boundaries were small — so I kept backing my shots.”
Behind his fierce determination is a story of discipline and guidance. Suryavanshi credited his father’s strictness and commitment for shaping his focus and work ethic.
“Since childhood, he has been very strict. Earlier I didn’t understand why. But now I can see the benefit on the ground. He kept me from getting distracted and pushed me to work hard. Whatever I have today is because of my father,” he said.
Despite his age and sudden spotlight, Suryavanshi insists he feels no pressure.
“There is no pressure,” he smiled. “Fans come to support. Once I enter the ground, everything outside disappears. My focus is only on playing the ball.”
With Suryavanshi’s extraordinary innings leading the charge, India A posted a gigantic total of 297 for 4, which stands as the joint-fifth highest team total in men’s T20 cricket history. Captain Jitesh Sharma added a powerful finishing touch with an unbeaten 83 off 32 balls, helping elevate the total to a virtually unchaseable level.
UAE struggled in response, managing 149 for 7. Left-arm quick Gurjapneet Singh delivered a superb spell, taking 3 wickets for just 18 runs in his four overs, ensuring India A’s dominant 148-run victory.
The Asia Cup Rising Stars 2025 has delivered many exciting moments already, but none as breathtaking or historic as Vaibhav Suryavanshi’s record-shattering performance. At just 14, he has established himself as a name to watch closely in the future of world cricket — a young powerhouse with the poise, talent, and mentality of a seasoned professional.
His rise has only just begun.
