NEW DELHI: Vaibhav Sooryavanshi delivered another breathtaking 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.The highlight of his blistering knock was an 11-ball fifty — the fastest in List A cricket history — as India A overpowered Sri Lanka A by 66 runs to lift the title. Sooryavanshi’s innings featured pure carnage from the outset, with his first 11 balls reading: 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’ jibe sparks viral response
The knock carried added intensity following an ill-tempered previous meeting between the two sides, where Sri Lanka A had defeated India A in a Super Over and tensions spilled over after the match.During that contest, Sooryavanshi was involved in a heated exchange, with a Sri Lankan player reportedly telling him, “This is not IPL” after India A’s Super Over defeat.On Sunday, IPL franchises were quick to revive that moment as the teenager flipped the narrative in spectacular fashion. Rajasthan Royals, Royal Challengers Bengaluru, and Delhi Capitals all celebrated the 11-ball fifty on social media, prominently echoing the phrase “This is not IPL” while hailing Sooryavanshi’s explosive response.The viral reaction turned the phrase into a symbol of redemption, with fans and franchises alike hailing the teenager’s fearless approach on the big stage.
No pressure, just pure destruction
Despite the previous controversy and a mixed run in the tri-series, Sooryavanshi insisted he played without pressure and focused solely on execution.“I hadn’t thought of anything. Just wanted to execute what I planned,” he said after being named Player of the Match.The teenager, who is set for a potential India T20 debut later this month, credited his coaches for helping him reset after inconsistent outings earlier in the series.
Record-breaking talent keeps rising
Sooryavanshi’s 11-ball half-century broke the previous List A record of 12 balls held by Sri Lanka’s Kaushalya Weeraratne since 2005, underlining the scale of his achievement.His knock also saw him narrowly miss out on the fastest List A century record, as he fell for 94 while attempting another big hit, caught at mid-off in the ninth over.From dominating IPL stages earlier in the year to now dismantling bowling attacks in international youth cricket, Sooryavanshi continues to build a reputation as one of India’s most explosive young batters.
