Teen sensation Vaibhav Suryavanshi stole the spotlight on the opening day of the ACC Asia Cup Rising Stars 2025, smashing an extraordinary 144 off just 42 balls for India A against UAE. At just 14 years old, Suryavanshi announced himself as one of Asia’s most exciting young talents, displaying a combination of power, timing, and composure well beyond his years. His innings included 15 towering sixes and 10 fours, setting the stage for a dominating performance that left the UAE bowlers scrambling.
The match, part of the inaugural Rising Stars T20 tournament in Qatar, was always expected to highlight emerging talent from across the continent, but Suryavanshi’s record-breaking knock quickly became the headline act. India A, chasing a modest total of 158, were propelled to a total of 214/2 in just 12 overs, largely due to Suryavanshi’s destructive batting. His ability to find gaps and clear the boundary with apparent ease captured the imagination of teammates, spectators, and scouts alike.
Suryavanshi’s innings demonstrated not only power but also excellent shot selection and awareness of the game situation. While the 14-year-old targeted big hits, he rotated the strike effectively, ensured partnerships, and maintained control even under pressure. His timing and hand-eye coordination allowed him to play shots all around the ground, punishing anything short or loose, while still keeping the chase moving at a brisk pace. By the time he was dismissed, he had completely taken the game out of the UAE’s reach.
The Rising Stars tournament, previously known as the Emerging Teams Asia Cup, is designed to give young cricketers from full-member and associate nations high-level exposure in a competitive environment. Teams participating this year include India A, Pakistan A, Sri Lanka A, Bangladesh A, Afghanistan A, as well as UAE, Oman, and Hong Kong. The tournament offers young players the chance to gain experience in international-style conditions, playing in front of scouts and selectors, and Suryavanshi’s performance is a perfect example of why such exposure is invaluable.
Cricket experts hailed the innings as one of the most explosive performances by a player of such a young age in Asia. Analysts noted that while raw talent is abundant in junior cricket, the ability to sustain such a high strike rate over 42 deliveries, against quality opposition bowling, signals a prodigious cricketing mind. Scouts will be keen to track Suryavanshi’s development closely in the coming months and years, as performances like this could accelerate his path toward India’s U19 or even senior squads.
The innings also sent a clear message to other competing nations in the Rising Stars tournament: India A boasts a lineup capable of turning games on its head with extraordinary individual talent. Suryavanshi’s knock will be remembered not just for the sheer volume of runs but for the confidence and maturity with which a 14-year-old handled a high-pressure chase in an international setting.
As the ACC Rising Stars tournament continues, fans and selectors alike will watch closely to see if Suryavanshi can maintain this form and consistency. His 144-run blitz may well be the spark that inspires India A to dominate the tournament, while simultaneously marking the emergence of one of Asia’s brightest cricketing prospects.
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