Post by : Badri Ariffin

In a bold move, Congress MP Shashi Tharoor has stirred discussions in Indian cricket by comparing the emerging talent Vaibhav Suryavanshi, a mere teenager, to legendary Sachin Tendulkar. Tharoor advocates for the Board of Control for Cricket in India to expedite Suryavanshi's introduction into the national team.

Tharoor's remarks came after Suryavanshi's stellar display in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, where he showcased an extraordinary skill set. On X, he expressed, "The last time a fourteen-year-old exhibited such exceptional cricketing prowess, it was Sachin Tendulkar — and we all know his journey. What are we waiting for? Vaibhav Suryavanshi for India!" He also highlighted that influential cricket figures should take note.

A Record-Breaking Performance

During a pivotal Plate League encounter on December 24, Suryavanshi astonished spectators by becoming the youngest player to record a century in men's List A cricket at just 14 years and 272 days. This century, his first in senior cricket, was achieved in a mere 36 balls, marking it as the fourth-fastest List A century accomplished by an Indian.

In what was only his seventh List A match, he scored an outstanding 190 runs off just 84 deliveries, featuring 16 boundaries and 15 sixes, all at a remarkable strike rate of 226.19.

Additionally, he surpassed the previous record for the fastest 150 in men's List A cricket, achieving it in just 59 balls, previously held by AB de Villiers.

Unprecedented Team Achievement

Bihar's astonishing total of 574/6 is now the highest in List A cricket history. Captain Sakibul Gani contributed an impressive 128 runs from 40 balls, along with Ayush Loharuka, who added 116 runs off 56 balls. In response, Arunachal Pradesh was bowled out for 177, leading to a massive 398-run win for Bihar.

Consistent Performances Across Formats

Suryavanshi's recent innings further corroborated his potential. Earlier, he recorded an unbeaten 108 off 61 balls against Maharashtra in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, becoming the youngest centurion in the tournament's history.

His youth-level stats are equally impressive; he scored 171 off 95 balls against the UAE in the Under-19 Asia Cup held in Dubai, narrowly missing a national youth record. Additionally, he tallied a century against Australia in a Youth Test held in Brisbane.

Rapid Ascent in Cricket

Suryavanshi's trajectory skyrocketed when he became the youngest player ever selected in an IPL auction at only 13 years old, going on to achieve his first IPL century with a blistering 101 runs off 38 balls against the Gujarat Titans. In IPL 2025, he amassed 252 runs in seven matches, achieving a strike rate of 206.55.

Since then, he has consistently awed audiences with his performances during youth tours in England and Australia, accumulating 355 runs in England at a strike rate of 174.01. With an average exceeding 51 in 15 youth ODIs, alongside two centuries and three fifties, Suryavanshi's remarkable journey places him at the heart of discussions about India's cricketing future.

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