Under-19 World Cup Hero Vaibhav Sooryavanshi Opens Up on Final Pressure Before Historic 175
India's teenage batting prodigy Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has revealed the immense pressure and sleepless night he experienced before delivering one of the greatest knocks in U-19 World Cup history. The 14-year-old sensation scored a breathtaking 80-ball 175 in the final against England, leading India to a record-extending sixth title in Harare.
Emotional Conversation with Father
After his match-winning performance, Sooryavanshi shared an emotional conversation with his father. "I spoke to my dad and told him that half the dream is done," the young cricketer revealed in an interview with Ray Sportz Cricket. "But the other half, playing the World Cup for the senior India team, is still left. Every player dreams of playing for the senior team and winning. That is my focus from here."
Sleepless Night Before the Final
The pressure of the big occasion was palpable for the young star. "I did not sleep the whole night and just got an hour or two of sleep," Sooryavanshi admitted. "It was a very big game. We can say that we will play it as a normal game but there was pressure on us. There was pressure of the final and in every country, you can play the U19 World Cup again, but in India, you cannot, so it is a memorable moment to play and win the final."
He emphasized the rarity of such opportunities: "There are very few chances. We had that chance."
Tournament Performance and Recognition
Sooryavanshi's journey to the final was marked by growing dominance as the tournament progressed:
- Started modestly but peaked at the business end
- Scored a crucial 33-ball 68 in the semifinal against Afghanistan
- Helped India chase down a challenging 311-run target
- Delivered arguably the greatest knock in any tournament final
His extraordinary batting earned him both Player of the Match in the final and Player of the Tournament honors, cementing his status as the tournament's standout performer.
Captain's Guidance and Team Effort
India U-19 captain Ayush Mhatre played a crucial supporting role, scoring a half-century in the final while watching Sooryavanshi's assault from the non-striker's end. "Ayush was telling me to take singles and play sensibly when I was close to my hundred," Sooryavanshi recalled. "But I knew that as long as I was at the crease, if I dominated, we could bat England out of the game."
The young star emphasized the collective effort: "We put the match in our favour in the first innings itself. It wasn't just my performance, everyone contributed, and that's why we scored 411."
Historic Achievement for Indian Cricket
India's victory over England marked several significant milestones:
- Sixth Under-19 World Cup title for India
- Tenth appearance in the tournament final
- Continuous presence in every title clash since 2016
- Record-breaking team total of 411 runs in the final
The triumph showcases India's continued dominance in youth cricket and the pipeline of talent emerging from the country's robust cricketing system.
As Vaibhav Sooryavanshi sets his sights on the senior national team, his historic performance in Harare will be remembered as one of the most spectacular displays of batting talent in youth cricket history. The 14-year-old's combination of skill, temperament, and ambition suggests a bright future for Indian cricket.
