India spin legend R Ashwin was left astonished by teenage prodigy Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s remarkable consistency across forms and formats over the last month. The 14-year-old has rewritten records playing in the Vijay Hazare Trophy last month before taking on the thick vein of form to India colours with the Under-19 team on their tour to South Africa as captain. On Wednesday, the left-hander struck his third Youth ODI century and a first as captain in 63 balls as India U19 recorded a thumping 3-0 series sweep over the Proteas colts. In his penultimate outing for Bihar in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, Sooryavanshi converted his maiden List A century into a staggering 190-run assault as Bihar shattered the world record for the highest ever men’s List A score. Sooryavanshi had racked up a 54-ball 150, making it the quickest-ever in the format. Ashwin lauded the Rajasthan Royals dasher and wondered what more could the Bihar phenomenon offer in the forthcoming days. ALSO READ | Vaibhav Sooryavanshi blasts maiden century as India U19 captain in South Africa, fires World Cup warning “171(95), 50(26), 190(84), 68(24), 108*(61), 46(25) & 127(74) today. These are just some of Vaibhav Suryavanshi’s scores in the last 30 days across domestic & U19 cricket. Enna thambi, indha adi podhuma, illa innum konjam venuma? Translation (What’s all this brother? Is this sample enough, or are you going to raise the bar further?). You can’t explain in words what this kid is doing at 14,” Ashwin wrote on X. Sooryavanshi will undoubtedly be the centre of attraction at the ICC 2026 Under-19 World Cup that begins in Zimbabwe next week. With uncertainty looming over Ayush Mhatre, Sooryavanshi could continue as the captain of the side in the showpiece tournament. “With the U19 WC round the corner where he’s expected to be the showstopper, followed immediately by the leap to the IPL for his first full season as an opener stepping into the big shoes of Sanju, the next four months of #VaibhavWatch is going to be exciting, telling us everything about his temperament, hunger & character,” said Ashwin.
‘Enna thambi, are you going to raise the bar further?’: R Ashwin hails Vaibhav Sooryavanshi after century in South Africa
