Vaibhav Suryavanshi received unique praise ahead of the U-19 World Cup final
The World Youth Championships semi-final, the scoreboard shows a target of 311 runs. For many, these numbers weigh heavily. But not for the young Indian opener. His response wasn’t calculated defense, but a veritable firestorm. Just 33 deliveries, 68 runs, nine boundaries and four mighty sixes. It was for this explosive innings that Vaibhav Suryavanshi received unique praise ahead of the U-19 World Cup final. Former India international Reetinder Singh Sodhi has come up with a special comparison for him – “a younger Abhishek Sharma”.
Vaibhav Suryavanshi received unique praise ahead of the U-19 World Cup final: advice from experienced
And this was recognition of a special gift, that very different level Sodhi speaks of. The ball flies correctly, swings, hits the right spot, and when Suryavanshi bats, it simply flies into the stands. This type of cricket leaves no room for the opponent’s tactics, it sweeps them away. Partnering with Aaron George, Vaibhav achieved the incredible — turning a daunting chase into something manageable by the 10th over, taking the pressure off the team with just one approach.
Vaibhav Suryavanshi received unique praise ahead of the U-19 World Cup final. Sodhi, while admiring, also offers advice, subtly pointing out the format’s difficulty. He says the guy is still young, he needs to take a couple of extra balls sometimes and master the pace of ODIs. “On that surface, he could have scored 150-175,” the expert notes. This is the real challenge: how to retain this destructive force while taming it for the long haul? It’s a question without an easy answer, and knowing this makes the story of Suryavanshi even more authentic.
Vaibhav Suryavanshi received unique praise ahead of the U-19 World Cup final: a side view
His contribution was appreciated not only by experts. Team captain Ayush Mhatre said bluntly: “Vaibhav has relieved the team from pressure. After 10 overs, we had 90 runs—it was incredible. All we had to do was build the inning.” When Suryavanshi starts like this, even the record-breaking run in U19 WC history seems more manageable.
Now comes the final against England. Another undefeated team, another challenge. Mhatre talks about a simple plan: play his own cricket, appreciate every ball, and adapt. But the spotlight will be on him, the 14-year-old phenom, already being compared to the stars, as it was Vaibhav Suryavanshi received unique praise ahead of the U-19 World Cup final.
One thing is certain: the athlete is no longer just a hope for the future; he’s a living spark of the present, making everyone talk. His bat sets the pace, and his story reminds us that sometimes, to cope with immense pressure, you need to meet the ball at full speed rather than hide deeper in the crease. On Friday in Harare, we’ll see where this speed will take him and the whole team.
