India's Under-19 cricket team delivered a performance of sheer dominance at The Sevens Stadium in Dubai, annihilating Malaysia by a colossal margin of 315 runs in their Group A match of the ACC Under-19 Asia Cup 2025. The emphatic victory, built on a mountain of runs, reinforced India's unbeaten run in the tournament and showcased the depth of talent in the youth setup.
Abhigyan Kundu's Historic Batting Masterclass
The defining narrative of the match was scripted by wicketkeeper-batter Abhigyan Kundu. Coming to the crease in the 11th over, Kundu played an innings for the ages, remaining not out till the very end. He bludgeoned 209 runs off just 125 balls, an innings peppered with 17 fours and 9 massive sixes.
This extraordinary knock was not just about power; it was a blend of technical soundness and calculated aggression. More importantly, it rewrote the record books. Kundu surpassed the previous highest individual score by an Indian in U-19 ODI cricket—177 by Ambati Rayudu—to set a new benchmark. His innings laid the foundation for India's mammoth total.
India's Batting Powerhouse on Full Display
While Kundu was the undisputed star, he received sterling support from the middle order, ensuring India recovered swiftly from the early loss of both openers. Vedant Trivedi, a consistent performer, compiled a solid 90 runs, providing stability. At the other end, Vaibhav Suryavanshi provided the early fireworks with a blistering 50 off just 26 balls, including five boundaries and three sixes.
The collective effort propelled India to a daunting 408 for 7 in their allotted 50 overs. For Malaysia, left-arm pacer Muhammad Akram emerged with a five-wicket haul (5/89), a commendable effort in the face of the onslaught.
Malaysia's Chase Crumbles Under Pressure
Facing a target that was always out of reach, Malaysia's batting lineup folded without offering any significant resistance. The Indian bowling attack maintained relentless discipline, bundling out the opposition for a mere 93 runs in 32.1 overs.
Hamzah Panggi top-scored with 35 runs for Malaysia, but partnerships never materialized. The Indian bowlers shared the spoils, with Deepesh Devendran putting in a particularly impressive spell to maintain the pressure. The victory margin of 315 runs is now India's second-biggest win by runs in Youth ODIs, only behind a 326-run victory over Uganda in 2022.
This comprehensive win underlines India's status as a powerhouse in the tournament and sets a formidable tone for their upcoming matches. The record-breaking feat by Abhigyan Kundu will be remembered as a landmark moment in Indian youth cricket history.
