Vaibhav Suryavanshi: Teen sensation shines again as India thrash England in U19 series opener at Hove

India’s teen sensation Vaibhav Suryavanshi made headlines once again as he smashed 48 off 19 balls to power the India U19 squad to their first win against England U19 in the opening ODI in Hove.

The blitzkrieg, which included five 6s and three 4s, ensured the visitors crossed the finish line in 24 overs with an emphatic six-wicket win.

Batting first, England scored 174 in 42.2 overs. India now lead the five-match series 1-0.

Fourteen-year-old Suryavanshi, already a record-breaker as the youngest century-maker in men's T20s thanks to his Indian Premier League (IPL) heroics for Rajasthan Royals earlier this year, looked unstoppable during his brief but electric stay at the crease. He and captain Ayush Mhatre added 71 in 7.3 overs for the second wicket, dismantling the English attack before Suryavanshi holed out off Ralphie Albert after an explosive cameo.

India’s chase had its stumbles after Suryavanshi’s departure, losing a few quick wickets, but wicketkeeper Abhigyan Kundu steadied the innings with an unbeaten 45 to see the visitors home with 26 overs to spare.

Earlier, England opted to bat but were bundled out for a modest 174 in 42.2 overs. Only Rocky Flintoff (56) and Isaac Mohammed (42) offered resistance. Mohammed, making his debut, sparkled briefly with four sixes and three fours in a 28-ball onslaught, showcasing his talent with aggressive strokes before falling attempting one big hit too many.

Flintoff held the innings together, striking three sixes and three fours, but lacked support as wickets fell regularly at the other end.

India’s spinners, Mohamed Enaan and Kanishk Chouhan, shared five wickets between them and kept the scoring in check, while the fielders backed them up with sharp catches and a run-out.

With this win, India continue their dominant form on the tour, following up on their 231-run victory against a Young Lions Invitational XI at Loughborough earlier in the week.