Indian cricket has met prodigies before, but Vaibhav Suryavanshi is operating on fast-forward. At just 14 years and 100 days, the right-hander blasted a breathtaking 52-ball century against England U-19 in Worcester, ripping up three major record lists in a single afternoon and putting even Sachin Tendulkar’s “youngest-ever” milestones on red alert.
A whirlwind hundred that rewrote records:
- Youngest Indian centurion in Youth ODIs – Vaibhav erased Sarfaraz Khan’s decade-old mark of 15 years 338 days (vs South Africa U-19, 2013).
- Youngest centurion in Youth ODIs worldwide – he leap-frogged Bangladesh star Najmul Hossain Shanto, who made his ton at 14 years 241 days in 2013.
- Fastest Youth ODI century of all time – his 52-ball blitz shaved one delivery off Pakistan’s Kamran Ghulam (53 balls vs England U-19, 2013). India’s previous best was Raj Angad Bawa’s 69-ball hundred at the 2022 U-19 World Cup.
Vaibhav eventually stormed to 143 off 78, peppering the ropes with fearless pulls and crisp drives. England’s bowlers had no answers; social-media timelines had no chill.
A habit of quick hundreds
The Worcester masterclass wasn’t a one-off. Last season the young Bihari stunned the IPL by hammering a 35-ball century, the league’s second-fastest ever and the quickest by a debutant. In Youth Tests he already owns the second-fastest century (58 balls vs Australia U-19); only Moeen Ali’s 56-ball effort from 2005 sits above him – for now.
Can he break Sachin’s debut record?
Tendulkar was 16 years 205 days when he debuted for India in 1989. At Vaibhav’s current trajectory, selectors may have a serious decision to make long before that age. If his red-hot form continues through the domestic season and next year’s U-19 World Cup, the “Little Master” could finally surrender one of his most enduring records.
The road ahead
With the IPL, Youth Tests and now Youth ODIs already bowing to his willow, Vaibhav Suryavanshi is fast becoming India’s next teenage sensation. Whether he topples Tendulkar’s youngest-debut mark or not, one thing is certain: cricket’s record-keepers had better keep their erasers handy.
