Indian youth cricket witnessed a historic moment on Tuesday, December 16, as young wicketkeeper-batter Abhigyan Kundu entered the record books with a monumental innings in the Under-19 Men’s Asia Cup. The 17-year-old left-hander became the first Indian ever to score a double century in Youth One-Day Internationals, playing a knock that will be remembered for years to come.
A Knock for the Ages in Dubai
At the Sevens Stadium in Dubai, Kundu produced a breathtaking display of batting against Malaysia. Coming in to bat at number five, he remained unbeaten on a colossal 209 runs, single-handedly dismantling the opposition attack. His innings was a blend of remarkable control and raw power, featuring 19 fours and seven sixes. He reached the magical double-century mark in just 125 balls, showcasing an exceptional strike rate for such a mammoth score.
Kundu's marathon effort propelled the India Under-19 team to a towering total of 408 for seven in their allotted 50 overs, completely shifting the momentum of the Group A contest. His innings was not just about big hitting; it was a masterclass in constructing a long innings, building patiently before accelerating at the right moments.
Breaking a 23-Year-Old Record and Entering an Elite Club
The significance of Kundu's achievement is magnified by the record he broke. His 209 surpassed the previous highest individual score by an Indian in Youth ODIs – an unbeaten 177 by Ambati Rayudu against England in Taunton back in 2002. Rayudu's record had stood tall for 23 long years before Kundu's heroics in Dubai.
Furthermore, Kundu has entered an extremely exclusive club in global youth cricket. He is now only the second batter in the history of Youth ODIs to register a double hundred. The only player ahead of him is South Africa's Jorich van Schalkwyk, who scored 215 against Zimbabwe in Harare earlier this year. Kundu's name now sits above other notable high scores from players like Sri Lanka's Hasitha Boyagoda, New Zealand's Jakob Bhula, and of course, Ambati Rayudu.
Kundu's Focus on the Future and His Winning Mindset
Speaking during the mid-innings break, the young prodigy displayed a maturity beyond his years. While acknowledging the personal milestone, his focus was firmly on the team's campaign. He stated that his aim going into the knockout stages would be to convert starts and make the most of every opportunity.
On breaking Rayudu's long-standing record, Kundu admitted it meant a lot to him. "It felt really good to create a record," he said, adding that his next goal would be to break his own mark on a bigger stage. He shed light on his simple yet effective approach at the crease, crediting the good pace and bounce of the Dubai wicket. His plan was to bat for close to 45 overs, trusting that the runs would come as loose deliveries were inevitable. "The idea was to build the innings patiently and trust my temperament to change gears whenever required. My primary focus was simply to stay at the crease," he explained.
Kundu's record-breaking feat is part of a trend of big scores by the Indian colts in the ongoing Asia Cup. Earlier in the tournament, Vaibhav Suryavanshi hammered a 95-ball 171 against the UAE, which is the ninth-highest individual score in Youth ODI history. These performances collectively underscore the immense depth and formidable talent in India's Under-19 batting lineup, setting a dominant tone for their Asia Cup campaign and promising a bright future for Indian cricket.
