Vaibhav Suryavanshi (PTI Image)
New Delhi: Vaibhav Sooryavanshi provided yet another stunning reminder of his extraordinary talent as the 15-year-old Indian batting sensation smashed a record-breaking 94 off just 29 balls against Sri Lanka A in the Tri-Nation final in Dambulla on Sunday.His most notable knock was an 11-ball fifty – the fastest in the history of List A cricket – as India A beat Sri Lanka A by 66 runs to lift the title. Sooryavanshi’s innings was marked by pure carnage from the start, as his first 11 balls read: 4, 4, 4, 6, 6, 0, 6, 4, 4, 6, 6.His 94-run blitz included 10 fours and eight sixes, setting the tone for India A’s massive 377/9 before Sri Lanka A were restricted to 311 in 47.1 overs.
‘This is not IPL’ quip sparks viral response
The blow carried added intensity after a tense previous encounter between the two sides, where Sri Lanka A defeated India A in the Super Over and tensions spilled over after the match.During that contest, Sooryavanshi got into a heated argument, with one of the Sri Lankan players allegedly telling him, “This is not IPL” after defeating India A in the Super Over.On Sunday, IPL franchises were quick to relive that moment as the teenager flipped the narrative in a stunning way. Rajasthan Royals, Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Delhi Capitals celebrated their 11-ball 50 on social media, prominently chanting the phrase ‘this is not IPL’ while praising Sooryavanshi’s explosive response.
The viral reaction turned the phrase into a symbol of redemption, with fans and franchise owners alike praising the teenager’s fearless approach on the big stage.
No pressure, just pure destruction
Despite the earlier controversy and mixed run in the tri-series, Suryavanshi insisted that he played without pressure and focused only on execution.He said after being named the best player in the match: “I didn’t think about anything. I just wanted to implement what I planned.”The teenager, who is set to make his India T20 debut later this month, credited his coaches for helping him reset after inconsistent outings earlier in the series.
Record-breaking talent continues to rise
Sooryavanshi’s 11-ball half-century broke the previous List A record of 12 held by Sri Lankan Kaushalya Weeraratne since 2005, underscoring the magnitude of his achievement.His hitting also saw him narrowly miss the fastest List A century, as he dropped to 94 while trying to hit another big hit, caught midway through the ninth inning.From dominating the stages of the Indian Premier League earlier in the year to dismantling bowling attacks in youth international cricket, Sooryavanshi continues to build his reputation as one of India’s most explosive young players.