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13-year-old Vaibhav Suryavanshi who made his first-class debut for Bihar in the Ranji Trophy earlier this year, has etched his name into cricket history by becoming the youngest batter ever to score a century in professional cricket. His remarkable achievement came during the ongoing first Test of Australia’s Under-19 tour of India 2024, held at the iconic MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. Suryavanshi’s innings not only broke longstanding records but also left the cricketing world in awe of his immense potential at such a young age.
Global spotlight on a young star
The left-handed batter, showcased maturity beyond his years as he played a blistering knock in India Under-19’s first innings. Facing the Australian Under-19 bowling attack, Suryavanshi scored a magnificent 104 runs off just 62 balls. His innings included 14 boundaries and 4 sixes, as he batted with a strike rate of 167.74. This performance also earned him the distinction of recording the second-fastest century in all U19 Test cricket, trailing only England‘s Moeen Ali, who had set the record by scoring a century in 56 balls in 2005.
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Surpassing cricketing giants
Suryavanshi’s century not only earned him accolades but also saw him surpass cricketing icons like Pakistan’s Babar Azam and Bangladesh’s Najmul Hossain Shanto in the record books. Previously, Shanto held the title of the youngest player to score a century in professional cricket, having achieved the feat at the age of 14 against Sri Lanka in an ODI in 2013. Before Shanto, Babar had set the record when, at the age of 15, he notched up a century against Sri Lanka in an ODI in 2009.
Suryavanshi’s new record, however, redefines what is possible for young cricketers. At just 13 years old, his century places him at the forefront of future stars in international cricket. His ability to dominate an experienced Australian bowling lineup, combined with the flair and aggression he demonstrated during his knock, has already drawn comparisons to some of the sport’s greatest talents.
This historic moment has been hailed as one of the finest performances in youth cricket, with cricket analysts and fans alike praising the young cricketer for his composed and fearless approach to the game. His record-breaking century marks the beginning of what could be a remarkable career, as India continues to nurture a new generation of cricketing prodigies.
