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IIE DIGITAL DESK :  The breathtaking display of talent and aggression, young batting prodigy Vaibhav Suryavanshi smashed an astonishing 190 runs off just 90 balls during a practice match held as part of the Indian U-19 cricket team’s preparation camp. The innings, played at the National Cricket Academy grounds in Bengaluru, has sent ripples through the domestic cricketing circuit, with selectors and coaches taking serious note of the 17-year-old’s potential to become the next big name in Indian cricket.

Suryavanshi, representing the India U-19 Blue Team, walked in to bat at No. 3 after an early wicket and immediately took command of the innings. What followed was a masterclass in power-hitting, timing, and composure. His 190-run knock included 22 fours and 11 sixes, sending the ball sailing over the ropes with effortless ease and frustrating bowlers throughout the innings.

The match was part of a four-day intra-squad series organized by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to fine-tune selections for upcoming bilateral youth tours and the ICC U-19 World Cup 2026. The competition featured the best emerging talents from across the country, all vying for a place in the final squad.

A modest Suryavanshi said, “I just wanted to stick to the basics and play my natural game. The pitch was good, and once I got going, I focused on rotating the strike and punishing loose balls. I didn’t think about the score—I was just enjoying my time in the middle.”

Coaches present at the ground were visibly impressed by not just the runs, but the maturity shown by the young batter. “Vaibhav’s temperament stood out today,” said Rahul Dravid, who was present as part of the talent review panel. “It’s not just the boundaries—he built the innings, read the field well, and paced his innings perfectly. These are rare qualities in players so young.”

What makes Suryavanshi’s knock more remarkable is that it came against a bowling attack that included some of the most promising U-19 pacers and spinners from across the country. Rather than playing reckless shots, he anchored the innings and accelerated only after he was well-set, reflecting strong cricketing awareness and shot selection.

Hailing from Nagpur, Vaibhav Suryavanshi has already made a mark in age-group tournaments, with several centuries to his name in the Cooch Behar Trophy and Vinoo Mankad Trophy. However, this innings could be a turning point, thrusting him into national contention at a crucial time.

The selectors are expected to finalize the U-19 squad for the Asia Cup in the coming weeks, and Suryavanshi’s performance is likely to be a major talking point in the selection meetings. Cricket fans have already begun drawing parallels between Suryavanshi’s strokeplay and that of Virat Kohli during his U-19 days, though the youngster insists he has a long way to go.

“I admire players like Kohli and Yashasvi Jaiswal,” he said. “But right now, my focus is just on improving every day and doing my best for the team.”

If this knock is any indication, India may have unearthed another batting gem. While it’s still early days in Vaibhav Suryavanshi’s career, his 190-run blitz has certainly made the cricketing fraternity sit up and take notice.