Vaibhav Sooryavanshi rewrote the record books in the Tri-Nation Series final against Sri Lanka A, hammering the fastest half-century in List A cricket history on Sunday in Dambulla.
The teenage sensation, who had endured a difficult run with the bat throughout the tournament, exploded into life after India A were sent in to bat at the Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium. Having arrived in the final under pressure following modest scores in previous matches and lingering attention from an on-field altercation during the league stage, Sooryavanshi produced an innings that instantly shifted the spotlight back onto his cricket.
The left-hander launched his assault from the very first delivery, dispatching Mohamed Shiraz for four and continuing
to attack relentlessly. Boundaries and towering sixes flowed freely as Sri Lanka A’s bowlers struggled to contain the fearless 15-year-old.
A particularly destructive over set the tone for the inning as Sooryavanshi samshed Mohamed Shiraz for 26 runs. The landmark moment arrived soon after when Sooryavanshi smashed another six over long-on to race to his fifty in just 11 balls, eclipsing a record that had stood for two decades. His strike rate at that stage was a staggering 454.54.
Poor Run Ends In Style!
The extraordinary innings marked a dramatic turnaround for Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, who had entered the final with scores of 14, 44, 21 and 38 in the competition. While he had shown flashes of brilliance throughout the tournament, Dambulla’s slower surfaces had largely prevented him from playing his natural attacking game.
Vaibhav was dismissed for 94 runs from 29 deliveries as Sri Lanka skipper Sahan Arachchige picked up the wicket and Vijayakanth Viyaskanth completed the catch. His innings had 10 fours and eight sixes.
Prodigy’s Rapid Rise
Sooryavanshi’s rapid ascent continued earlier this month when he received his first India T20I call-up for the tours of Ireland and England, as well as the 2026 Asian Games. At just 15 years and 71 days, the left-handed opener became the youngest player ever selected for India’s men’s team, surpassing Sachin Tendulkar’s long-standing record. If he takes the field, he will also become India’s youngest men’s international debutant. Currently, Washington Sundar holds the record as India’s youngest T20I debutant, while Tendulkar remains the youngest Indian to have played both ODI and international cricket.
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