15-Year-Old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi Smashes Fastest List A Fifty Ever

Teenage sensation Vaibhav Suryavanshi smashed a brilliant half-century in just 11 balls for India A, setting a new record for the fastest half-century in List A 50-over cricket.

The left-handed batsman scored 94 runs in just 29 balls, hitting 10 fours and eight sixes, in the tri-nation final against Sri Lanka A in Dambulla on June 21.

The 15-year-old opener took charge of Sri Lanka’s bowling attack after Sri Lanka A elected to field first. He reached his half-century in just 11 balls, including an incredible sequence of 4, 4, 4, 6, 6, 0, 6, 4, 4, 6, 6 in his first 11 balls. In the process, Suryavanshi broke the previous world record of a half-century in 12 balls made by Sri Lanka’s Kaushalya Weeraratne in 2005. Due to Suryavanshi’s exceptional innings, India A team scored a huge score of 377 runs for the loss of 9 wickets in 50 overs.

Fastest Fifties in List A Cricket History

Sooryavanshi Lets His Bat Speak

Six days after emotions flared in Dambulla, Suryavanshi responded with the bat in the best possible way.

The 15-year-old power-hitting player gave a full account of the controversy that erupted after India’s defeat to Sri Lanka A earlier in the week.

Suryavanshi was embroiled in an on-field incident following India A’s Super Over defeat to Sri Lanka A on June 15. Tempers flared after the match, with the youngster seen on television cameras running towards Sri Lankan players and pushing Vishen Halambaj.

Reports claimed that tensions had been rising during the series. Halambaj was said to have been involved in repeated verbal exchanges with Suryavanshi and was heard taunting him by saying “match over… now you go home” during India’s innings.

The situation escalated after the game when Halambaj approached both Suryavanshi and Suryansh Shedge. Sri Lankan wicketkeeper Niroshan Dickwella then came on and separated the players before the situation got any worse.

On Sunday, Suryavanshi had his answer. Opening the bat, the left-handed batsman savagely attacked the Sri Lankan bowlers and brought up his half-century in just 11 balls.
The first ball was a four. Then another. And another. Then a six. By the time the first 11 balls read 4, 4, 4, 6, 6, 0, 6, 4, 4, 6, 6, I didn’t feel like batting. It felt like someone was playing cricket in easy conditions.

The Hundred That Slipped Away

India A had inflicted heavy losses on the bowlers from the start and scored 88 runs without losing a wicket in five overs. When he got out, he had hit 10 fours and eight sixes in a brilliant innings that lasted just 29 balls.

The teenager looked certain to score a record-breaking century before Sri Lanka A captain Sahan Arachage ended the onslaught in the ninth over. The spinner bowled an over and launched a lofted drive at the wrong time which the fielder took safely.

Suryavanshi missed out on a century by a narrow margin, but his 94-run onslaught had already made a big impact on the final.

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