Indian cricket's latest teenage sensation, Vaibhav Suryavanshi, has once again set the stage on fire with a breathtaking batting display. The 14-year-old prodigy hammered a rapid-fire century to power India U19 to a commanding position in the third and final youth ODI against South Africa U19 in Benoni on Wednesday, January 7, 2026.
A Knock of Pure Domination
With the series already sealed after victories in the first two games, the third match was a dead rubber. However, Suryavanshi treated it as an opportunity to showcase his extraordinary talent. Sent in to bat first, the young opener went on a rampage, single-handedly taking the South African bowling attack to the cleaners. He carried his rich vein of form from the previous match and raced to a magnificent hundred off just 63 deliveries.
This century was particularly special as it marked a unique global milestone for the batter. With this ton in South Africa, Suryavanshi has now scored a hundred in six different countries: India, Australia, England, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Qatar, and now South Africa. His innings was finally ended at 127 runs, a knock that came off a mere 74 balls and was studded with nine fours and ten massive sixes. He was caught by Jason Rowles off the bowling of Ntando Soni.
Carving a Niche in Record Books
Vaibhav Suryavanshi is rapidly building a reputation as one of the most destructive young batters in the 50-over format. This innings further cemented his status as a record-breaker. He is now the only batter with more than one century in under 60 balls in youth ODI cricket. His previous exploits include a 52-ball hundred against England U19 in 2025 and a 56-ball century against the UAE during the Rising Stars Asia Cup last year.
His ability to consistently score at a blistering pace, irrespective of the continent or conditions, points to a temperament and skill set well beyond his years. The innings in Benoni was not just about power; it was a calculated assault that left the opposition bowling unit searching for answers.
What This Means for Indian Cricket
Suryavanshi's sustained excellence on the global youth stage is a massive positive for Indian cricket. Performing in diverse conditions across the world at such a young age demonstrates remarkable adaptability and mental strength. While the immediate focus will be on the ongoing series and future youth assignments, performances of this caliber inevitably put a player on the radar for higher honours.
The Indian team management and selectors will be delighted to see a young batter dominating attacks with such authority. As the cricket world takes note of this 14-year-old phenomenon, the future seems incredibly bright for Vaibhav Suryavanshi, who has already begun tormenting bowling line-ups across six nations.
