The dust has yet to settle at Harare Sports Club, but Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s stunning performance in the Under-19 World Cup final against England continues to resonate in the cricketing world. He struck out 175 off just 80 balls, which was more than an innings – a record-breaking blitz. With 15 towering sixes and a strike rate that seemed to mock the intensity of a final, the 14-year-old prodigy from Bihar left fans asking a burning question: If he can knock off England U19 toppers and smash centuries in the IPL, why can’t he be part of the Indian senior team? The answer lies with the International Cricket Council (ICC). The main hurdle Sooryavanshi faces is the ICC’s minimum age policy. The rules, introduced in 2020 to protect the physical and mental health of young players, stipulate that players must be at least 15 years old to participate in international cricket.
Born on March 27, 2011, Vaibav He was only 14 years old when he won the World Cup in February 2026. Ironically, while he was too young for the senior team, he also outgrew the U19 team. The BCCI has implemented a strict “one match” rule for the U19 World Cup, which is aimed at preventing the emergence of age-group specialists and ensuring a constant influx of fresh talent. Vaibhav has already dominated the 2026 edition and won the Player of the Tournament award, but he is not eligible for the 2028 or 2030 editions despite being less than 19 years old.
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi Records
The excitement surrounding the young opener is easy to understand considering the string of records he has broken over the past year:
- U19 World Cup final high scores: Scored 175 off 80 balls against England, the highest score in an U19 final.
- World Cup Six-a-side record: In the 2026 edition, a total of 30 sixes were hit, surpassing the previous record of Dewald Brevis.
- Global list-A record: The youngest player in history to score an A-century at the age of 14 years and 272 days.
- Fastest 150 miles in history: 150 out of 59 balls
Vijay Hazare trophy, breakAB de Villiers ‘ Record. - IPL Century Milestones: Youngest IPL centurion, 14 years and 32 days old, batted 35 balls
rajasthan royals . - Indian Pioneer: The first player to score a T20 century for India A, scored a 32-ball hundred against UAE.
- Youth ODI pace: Fastest youth ODI century, 52 goals against England U19s.
- Youth test records: Fastest teenage Test century by an Indian (58 balls), second fastest in world history.
- Domestic T20 records: the youngest centurion
Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy with an unbeaten record of 108 games. - Border landmarks: The first player to hit 100 sixes in his junior ODI career.
Currently, ‘Sooryavanshi Storm’ is limited to domestic cricket and franchise tournaments. But time is passing. Later in 2026, when he turns 15, it’s only a matter of time before the blue jersey with his name on it makes his debut at the highest level.
