Suryavanshi's Blazing 86 Off 31 Balls Powers India U-19 to Series Lead Over England

India’s 14-year-old batting prodigy Vaibhav Suryavanshi produced a jaw-dropping innings of 86 from just 31 balls to seal a thrilling four-wicket win over England in the third Youth ODI, giving India a 2-1 lead in the five-match series.

Chasing a competitive 269 in a rain-reduced 40-over match, Suryavanshi launched a brutal assault on England’s bowlers, smashing six fours and nine towering sixes to register the third-fastest half-century in India Under-19s history – reaching the mark in just 20 balls.

By the time Suryavanshi was dismissed, India had stormed to 111 for 2 in only eight overs, setting the tone for the chase. Despite a mid-innings wobble, a composed and positive unbeaten partnership of 75 between Kanishk Chouhan (43)* and RS Ambrish (31)* saw India home with 33 balls to spare.

England Post 268 on the Back of Rew’s Brilliance

Earlier, Thomas Rew continued his purple patch with a scintillating 76 not out from 44 balls, propelling England to 268 for 6. Coming off a century in the previous game, the Somerset wicketkeeper-batter once again led from the front, hammering nine fours and three sixes, including 21 runs in the penultimate over to give England late momentum.

He was well supported by Ben Dawkins, who made a fluent 62 off 61 balls, and shared a solid 78-run opening stand with Isaac Mohammed (41). However, India clawed back into the game through their spinners, particularly Kanishk Chouhan, who took 3 for 30 to dent England’s progress.

England lost four wickets for just 35 runs in the middle phase, before Rew and Ralphie Albert (21) resurrected the innings with a 60-run partnership in 8.2 overs.

Suryavanshi’s Onslaught Leaves England Stunned

In response, Suryavanshi wasted no time, smashing the ball to all parts of the ground. He launched Minto over long-off, took Morgan for back-to-back sixes, and even sent one delivery out of the ground and into the car park. His half-century came in just 20 balls and featured his fifth six.

He brought up a 50-run partnership with Vihaan Malhotra (46) in only 16 balls, with Malhotra contributing just five runs. Suryavanshi's breathtaking innings finally ended when he pulled a slower delivery from Wade to the fielder at backward square-leg.

Despite a flurry of wickets in the middle overs – including the dismissals of Malhotra, Rahul Kumar (27), and Harvansh Pangalia (11) – England couldn’t sustain the pressure. Chouhan and Ambrish kept their composure and calmly guided India to the target.

Chouhan Shines With Bat and Ball

It was a memorable all-round performance from Kanishk Chouhan, who not only picked up three crucial wickets but also anchored the chase under pressure. Dropped twice during his innings (on 20 and 30), he made England pay by remaining unbeaten and seeing India across the finish line.

Score Summary:

England U-19: 268/6 (40 overs)

Thomas Rew 76* (44), Ben Dawkins 62 (61), Isaac Mohammed 41 (32)
Kanishk Chouhan 3/30, Naman Pushpak 1/50

India U-19: 274/6 in 34.3 overs

Vaibhav Suryavanshi 86 (31), Vihaan Malhotra 46 (34), Kanishk Chouhan 43* (47), RS Ambrish 31* (36)
Bertie Wade 2/58, Alex Green 1/36

With two games left, India now hold a 2-1 lead and will look to seal the series in the next match. England, meanwhile, will hope Rew’s form can inspire a comeback in the fourth ODI.