A New King of Sixes in Youth ODIs
Indian cricket’s rising star, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, has etched his name in the history books by setting a groundbreaking record for the most career sixes in Youth One-Day International (ODI) cricket. This incredible achievement saw him eclipse former Indian U19 captain Unmukt Chand’s previous mark of 38 maximums, solidifying his status as a formidable force in junior cricket.
The monumental moment unfolded during the second 50-over clash between India U19 and Australia U19 at the picturesque Ian Healy Oval in Brisbane. At just 14 years old, the left-handed batsman reached this milestone in a mere 10 innings, a stark contrast to Chand’s 21 matches. Sooryavanshi’s record-breaking performance included a scintillating knock of 70 runs off just 68 balls against the young Australian side before he was eventually dismissed by captain Yash Deshmukh.
With this latest exploit, Sooryavanshi has now amassed an impressive 540 runs in Youth ODIs. An astounding 26% of his runs have come from boundaries, highlighting his aggressive style of play. His current tally stands at an astounding 41 sixes, firmly establishing him as the undisputed record holder in this category.
This achievement is just one of many for the young prodigy. Following Sooryavanshi and Chand, Yashasvi Jaiswal stands third among Indians with the most sixes in Youth One-Day cricket, having recorded 30 sixes in 27 matches between 2018 and 2020.
Sooryavanshi’s journey in cricket has been peppered with several remarkable firsts and unparalleled feats. He recently became the youngest player to debut in the Indian Premier League (IPL), where he also delivered the second-fastest century in the league’s history, securing his place as its youngest centurion.
His entry into first-class cricket was equally historic. During the 2023-24 Ranji Trophy season, he made his debut at the tender age of 12 years and 284 days against Mumbai, making him the youngest player ever to feature in the prestigious tournament.
The talented cricketer from Samastipur also holds the record for the fastest Youth ODI hundred, reaching his century in a blistering 52 balls. This sensational display surpassed the previous world record held by Pakistan’s Kamran Ghulam, who had achieved a 53-ball century in 2019.
In that same unforgettable innings, Sooryavanshi smashed an Indian record by hitting 10 sixes in a single match. At just 13 years and 188 days, he became the youngest centurion in the 170-year history of competitive cricket.
His exceptional performances have even extended to youth-level Test cricket, where he scored a rapid 58-ball hundred against Australia in the 1st Youth Test in Chennai. This innings ranks as the second-fastest century at this level, trailing only England’s Moeen Ali’s 56-ball effort.
Most Sixes in Youth ODIs (U-19 level)
| Player | Team | Mat | Runs | 4s | 6s |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vaibhav Sooryavanshi | India | 10* | 540* | 50* | 41* |
| Unmukt Chand | India | 21 | 1149 | 106 | 38 |
| Zawad Abrar | Bangladesh | 24 | 769 | 83 | 35 |
| Shahzaib Khan | Pakistan | 24 | 1096 | 95 | 31 |
| Tawhid Hridoy | Bangladesh | 47 | 1622 | 115 | 30 |
| Yashasvi Jaiswal | India | 27 | 1386 | 150 | 30 |