Rising Indian batting sensation Vaibhav Suryavanshi failed to repeat his previous match-winning performance, getting dismissed for a modest 16 runs off 20 deliveries in the third and final Youth ODI against Australia U19 in Brisbane. This was a stark contrast to his impactful score of 70 in the earlier game.
Vaibhav Suryavanshi of India (Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images)
Despite a promising start, which included two powerful sixes, Suryavanshi’s aggressive approach led to his downfall. He mistimed a shot and was caught, bringing his brief but entertaining innings to an end. This early wicket, following the dismissal of his opening partner Ayush Mhatre for just 4 runs, left the Indian side in a precarious position and disappointed many who had expected another stellar performance from the young talent. Earlier this year, Suryavanshi made headlines by becoming the youngest player to score a century in the history of the Indian Premier League.
Having already secured the series with convincing victories in the first two matches, India aimed for a complete 3-0 clean sweep. Captain Mhatre won the toss and opted to bat, with all eyes once again on Suryavanshi to deliver after his extraordinary performance in the second ODI.
In the previous match, Suryavanshi had shattered Unmukt Chand’s long-standing record for hitting the most sixes in Youth ODI cricket, smashing six maximums during his impressive knock of 70 runs.
His crucial second-wicket partnership with Vihaan Malhotra proved to be the pivotal moment, enabling India to post a formidable total of 301.
However, on Friday, it was Australia’s bowlers who dominated, maintaining tight lines and lengths after the early exits of Mhatre and Suryavanshi. The brief innings from India’s openers underscored the steep learning curve required for young players at the international level. Nevertheless, Suryavanshi’s previous displays have firmly established him as one of India’s most promising and exciting batting talents.