Vaibhav Suryavanshi smashes 54-ball century in India U-19 Asia Cup match against UAE, celebrates with folded hands

India’s young batting sensation Vaibhav Suryavanshi made an early headline in Dubai on Friday. The 14-year-old hammered a 54-ball century in India’s opening match of the U-19 Asia Cup against the UAE, continuing his rapid rise as one of the most exciting batters in junior cricket. His century came in straightforward fashion, built on clean hitting, quick running, and a fearless approach that has now become his trademark.

Vaibhav Suryavanshi's familiar script against UAE

Suryavanshi has made a habit of punishing the UAE. In the Emerging Nations Asia Cup, he had blasted 144 after being dropped on the first ball. On Friday, history almost repeated itself. He missed breaking his own world record for the fastest U-19 century, set recently with a 52-ball hundred, but his calm celebration, looking up and folding his hands, showed his growing maturity.

Vaibhav Suryavanshi’s rise in 2025

Vaibhav Suryavanshi’s rise in 2025 was not limited to what he did with the bat. His performances during the year helped him set a few milestones off the field too. After delivering standout knocks in the IPL, for India A, and in junior cricket, the young left-hander ended up becoming the most Googled Indian personality of 2025. Suryavanshi had already turned heads when he walked into Ranji Trophy cricket as a 12-year-old, but the past year cemented his status as one of the country’s fastest-rising talents.


Still only 14, Suryavanshi has quickly become one of the most discussed young batters in the country. His breakthrough moment came in the IPL when he rewrote record books by becoming the youngest male cricketer to score a century in T20 cricket. Playing for Rajasthan Royals, he blasted 101 off just 38 balls against Gujarat Titans, an innings packed with clean hitting. The knock included 11 sixes and seven fours, and he got to his century in only 35 deliveries — the second-fastest IPL ton ever and the quickest by an Indian player.

Form players leading India’s charge

Suryavanshi and captain Ayush Mhatre enter the tournament in strong form from the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. Mhatre struck back-to-back centuries and a fifty in the league stage, while Suryavanshi became the youngest player to score a SMAT century, against Maharashtra. Between them, the pair has played more than 30 senior-level matches and accumulated nine centuries—more than the combined total of all the other seven teams in the competition. Their presence makes India the clear favourites for the junior continental title.

Off-field attention on handshake question

Before the tournament began, attention also turned to whether India’s U-19 players would shake hands with Pakistan during Sunday’s high-profile match. While customary in junior cricket, the gesture has been skipped in recent senior events due to political tensions and as a mark of respect for the Indian Army and the victims of the Pahalgam terror attack.

A BCCI official told PTI: "The boys haven't been told anything. But obviously BCCI has given explicit instructions to its manager Anand Datar. Now if Indian boys don't shake hands with Pakistan team then match referee will have to be informed in advance. We know for a fact that ICC doesn't want politics to take front seat when it comes to junior cricket. So it is a case of both bad optics and public sentiment."

The ICC, on its part, prefers standard sportsmanship protocols for junior events and discourages linking political signals with youth tournaments.

India vs Pakistan U19 builds early excitement

India, led by Mumbai and CSK opener Ayush Mhatre, opened their campaign against the UAE and will face Pakistan on Sunday. Both teams are expected to advance from Group A, which also includes Malaysia and UAE.

India U-19 Asia Cup squad

Ayush Mhatre (C), Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Vihaan Malhotra (vc), Vedant Trivedi, Abhigyan Kundu (wk), Harvansh Singh (wk), Yuvraj Gohil, Kanishk Chouhan, Khilan A. Patel, Naman Pushpak, D. Deepesh, Henil Patel, Kishan Kumar Singh, Udhav Mohan, Aaron George.