Harare, July 27: India’s teenage batting sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi etched his name into the record books on Sunday, becoming the first player in men’s international cricket to score multiple half-centuries before the age of 16.
The 15-year-old opener achieved the landmark during the third and final T20 International against Zimbabwe, producing a composed 81 off 48 balls to anchor India’s innings after the visitors elected to bat first.
With the knock, Sooryavanshi surpassed Nepal’s Kushal Malla, who previously held the distinction of being the only player to register a 50-plus score in men’s internationals before turning 16.
The Indian youngster has now recorded two such innings, setting a new benchmark.
Batting on a surface that offered assistance to the bowlers, Sooryavanshi displayed maturity beyond his years. After a watchful start, scoring 11 runs from his first 10 deliveries, he gradually accelerated and reached his second T20I half-century in 31 balls.
The innings combined patience with his trademark attacking strokeplay. He struck pacer Brad Evans straight down the ground for four off a yorker, launched Zimbabwe captain Sikandar Raza for a towering 102-metre six and also executed a reverse sweep for another boundary against Wesley Madhevere.
While Sooryavanshi flourished, fellow opener Abhishek Sharma’s struggles continued as he was dismissed for two, extending his disappointing run of scores in recent matches.
Sooryavanshi’s latest milestone further underlined his immense promise and reinforced his status as one of the brightest young talents in world cricket. (Agencies)
