NEW DELHI: The scoreboard read 47 for no loss, but within three dramatic deliveries, it plummeted to 47 for 3. A palpable sense of unease settled over the Indian camp as their early momentum evaporated against arch-rivals Pakistan in a crucial U19 World Cup 2026 encounter on Sunday. This collapse evoked memories of a recent defeat to the same opponent in the U19 Asia Cup final, heightening the tension.
Vedant Trivedi Emerges as the Unlikely Hero
With the early dismissals of highly-touted batters Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and Ayush Mhatre, India desperately needed a savior. Stepping into the breach was Ahmedabad-based batter Vedant Trivedi. When his team required a hero, Vedant delivered a match-defining performance, crafting a patient and disciplined 98-ball 68 that turned him into Pakistan's primary villain on the day.
Trivedi displayed exceptional composure on a pitch that offered significant challenges to batsmen. His innings single-handedly rescued India from a precarious position, enabling them to post a competitive total of 252. This knock marked a stunning comeback for the 18-year-old, who had struggled to surpass 15 runs in his previous outings, ultimately finishing as the top run-scorer in this high-pressure clash.
'My Focus Was Simply to Cross 30 Runs'
In an exclusive interaction, Vedant Trivedi revealed his mindset during the critical phase. "My initial few shots against Pakistan connected quite well, which sparked a strong confidence that it would be my day. The primary focus was simply on batting for as long as possible. Since runs weren't flowing freely in the previous matches, I told myself to concentrate on first crossing the 30-run mark, especially as my net sessions had been going exceptionally well," he stated.
This strong mentality was evident in his judicious shot selection, a discipline that extends beyond the cricket field. Remarkably, Trivedi has maintained a sugar-free diet since the age of 10, even abstaining from biscuits, showcasing an extraordinary level of internal discipline and clarity of purpose.
Idolizing Shubman Gill and a Father's Influence
The young Gujarat batter idolizes current Indian captain Shubman Gill, noting that his own introduction to cricket mirrored Gill's, heavily influenced by his father's dedication. Interestingly, Trivedi has even emulated Gill's signature celebration in domestic matches.
His father, Alpesh Trivedi, played a foundational role, bowling an impressive 300 deliveries to him daily during his formative years. This regimen focused intensely on developing a solid technical framework rather than relying on brute power. Vedant's journey later involved significant sacrifice, as he joined a coaching academy, necessitating daily travel of 80 to 100 kilometers. Under the guidance of coaches Hem Joshipura and Jesal Karia, his game was meticulously refined.
Technical Refinement and Mental Fortitude
Coach Hem Joshipura worked on imbuing Vedant with greater awareness of his strengths and areas needing improvement. "The best part is his immediate implementation of feedback. He worked diligently on taking quick singles, hitting boundaries down the ground, and cultivating patience. I emphasized that power is not the sole prerequisite for scoring runs, which significantly elevated his consistency, particularly during the last Cooch Behar Trophy," Joshipura explained.
Coach Jesal Karia focused on sharpening Trivedi's gameplay against pace bowling and specifically prepared him for the World Cup conditions in Zimbabwe by expanding his shot repertoire against spin. Karia enhanced Vedant's comfort with the cut and pull shots, enabling him to accelerate when needed through technical adjustments.
"Initially, Vedant was deeply frustrated by his inability to convert 40s into centuries. He responded magnificently by batting for six hours daily to overcome this hurdle. While many believe orthodox batting limits scoring, Vedant proves capable of accelerating under pressure despite his traditional technique," Karia noted.
Overcoming Adversity and Drawing Inspiration
A significant motivational catalyst was his omission from the U19 squad for the 2025 tour of England. Rather than succumbing to dismay, Trivedi channeled the snub into a challenge. He emerged as one of only two centurions in a subsequent series at the Center of Excellence in Bengaluru, earning a spot for the Australia tour where he finished as the leading run-scorer.
For this overseas success, he drew inspiration from former captain Sourav Ganguly, whose aggressive approach influenced his mindset. "Vedant studied a video where Ganguly discussed shot selection suited for Australian conditions, emphasizing control. He implemented this approach thoroughly, which greatly enhanced his comfort levels. This was complemented by intensive training drills, including facing synthetic balls to build fluency," revealed his father.
Demonstrating unwavering commitment, Trivedi returned to the training ground just one day after arriving back in India from Australia. His rigorous routine involves facing 700 balls daily in net sessions, training for six to seven hours. Former Indian cricketer Parthiv Patel has also been instrumental in fortifying his mental resolve, stressing the importance of a strong mindset.
Off the field, Vedant is a talented Casio player. "God is very kind. He times everything perfectly, as seen in this comeback knock against Pakistan, which arrived at the most crucial moment," his father reflected. With this momentum, Vedant Trivedi is poised to make a vital contribution in the upcoming semi-final against Afghanistan, potentially emulating the heroic feats of his idol, Shubman Gill.
