Brisbane, September 21, 2025 – In the sweltering heat of the Ian Healy Oval, 14-year-old prodigy Vaibhav Suryavanshi once again lit up the cricket world with his trademark fireworks, smashing a blistering 38 off just 22 balls in the first Youth ODI against Australia Under-19. His explosive cameo, laced with seven fours and a massive six that sailed onto the road outside the ground, propelled India to a flying start, reaching 50 runs inside the fifth over while chasing a modest 226. Yet, as the young opener’s fireworks faded, the spotlight shifted uncomfortably to skipper Ayush Mhatre, whose ongoing woes in the 50-over format continued unabated with a meager 6 off 10 balls.
Suryavanshi’s knock was a masterclass in calculated aggression, a reminder that this Bihar-born sensation is not just playing cricket—he’s rewriting its grammar at an age when most teenagers are still grappling with school exams. Opening alongside Mhatre, the left-hander wasted no time asserting dominance. Facing pacer Hayden Schiller in the first over, he clipped a boundary through mid-wicket, setting the tone. By the end of the fourth over, bowled by Lachmund, Suryavanshi had turned the screws, hammering 22 runs in a single over: a towering six over deep fine leg that bounced onto the boundary road, followed by two scorching fours through covers and point. “Vaibhav Sooryavanshi dealing in maximums… where have we seen this sight before?” quipped commentators, evoking memories of his IPL exploits.
Dismissed on the final ball of the fifth over—caught attempting an aerial pull off Schiller—Suryavanshi’s departure left India at 50/2, but not before he had injected momentum into a chase that could have meandered. Of his 38 runs, a staggering 34 came in boundaries, underscoring his philosophy: attack first, ask questions later. This wasn’t a fluke; it’s the latest chapter in Suryavanshi’s meteoric rise. Just months ago, during IPL 2025, the 13-year-old (at the time) became the youngest centurion in men’s T20 history, blasting 101 off 38 balls for Rajasthan Royals against Gujarat Titans. His debut against Lucknow Super Giants was equally audacious: a six off the first ball from Shardul Thakur en route to 34 off 20.
Suryavanshi’s international pedigree is equally dazzling. In the recent Youth ODI series against England Under-19, he amassed 355 runs across five matches, including the fastest century in Youth ODI history—a 39-ball ton that sealed a series-clinching win. Earlier knocks of 33, 143, 86, 45, and 48 against the same opponents showcased his consistency under pressure. Domestically, his unbeaten 332 in the Randhir Verma U-19 tournament in Bihar remains the stuff of legend, a triple-century that turned heads at the BCCI selection table. Signed by Royals for INR 1.1 crore in the IPL auction—outbidding Delhi Capitals—Suryavanshi’s journey from Bihar’s dusty grounds to Brisbane’s bright lights is the ultimate underdog tale. As one scout put it post-IPL, “He’s got the power of Pant, the flair of Gill, and the fearlessness of a kid who knows no limits.”
Contrast this with the mounting frustrations of Ayush Mhatre, the Chennai Super Kings star and India U-19 captain, whose YODI form has become a puzzling subplot in an otherwise stellar career. Mhatre’s 6 today was his fifth single-digit score in six recent Youth ODIs, following a dismal run against England: 1, 5, 0, 21, and 1. Dismissed early by Schiller, he managed just a boundary before edging to slip, leaving Suryavanshi to shoulder the opening burden in a 50-run stand that promised much but delivered unevenly. For a batter who dazzled in IPL 2025 with consistent cameos and earned his CSK colors through sheer grit, this slump is baffling.
Yet, Mhatre’s tale isn’t one of outright failure—it’s a narrative of formats and fortunes. In the Youth Tests against England, he was imperious, piling up 340 runs in four innings with twin centuries (80, 126, 102, and 32), leading India to a 0-0 series draw. His leadership shone through, blending tactical acumen with on-field resilience. Off the field, too, Mhatre’s poise was evident just days ago when Indian captain Rohit Sharma hosted a masterclass for the U-19 squad ahead of this tour. Sharing life lessons on handling pressure and bouncing back from slumps, Sharma—fresh from IPL 2025—posed for photos with Mhatre and Suryavanshi, emphasizing mental fortitude. “The Hitman” urged the youngsters to treat failures as “setup shots for the big one,” words that resonated deeply with Mhatre’s current arc.
The tour Down Under, comprising three YODIs and two Youth Tests, is a litmus test for both players. Australia U-19, fresh off a strong domestic season, set 226 on the board thanks to fifties from Ekansh and Albert, but India’s bowlers—led by Henil Patel’s three-wicket haul—kept it in check. Post-Suryavanshi’s exit, Vihaan Malhotra and Rahul Kumar steadied the ship, but Mhatre’s early blow highlighted a vulnerability at the top. As captain, he must rally his side; as a batter, rediscover the touch that made him vice-captain material.
Suryavanshi’s cameos are electric, but cricket rewards endurance. For Mhatre, this series could be redemption; for Suryavanshi, another step toward stardom. In a squad blending raw talent (Suryavanshi, Khilan Patel) with experience (Abhigyan Kundu, Kanishk Chouhan), the duo’s dynamic—firecracker opener and steady skipper—could define India’s campaign. As the second YODI looms, one thing’s clear: with kids like these, Indian cricket’s future isn’t just bright—it’s explosive.
