R Ashwin was starstruck as Vaibhav Sooryavanshi went on a rampage against England in the U19 Cricket World Cup final. The 14-year-old opener raced to a 55-ball hundred, the second fastest ton in U19 World Cup history. He ended up registering 175 off 80 balls, smashing 15 fours and 15 sixes, and also striking at 218.75.
R Ashwin made a huge prediction for Vaibhav Sooryavanshi.
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Taking to X, Ashwin hailed Sooryavanshi's blazing knock, calling it 'absurd'. He was also in good form in the semifinals, clobbering 68 runs off 33 balls, packed with nine fours and four sixes, in his 90-run stand with Aaron George.
"175 (80) in the U19 WC final, 15 fours and 15 sixes with 85.7% of his runs in boundaries. That’s absurd. This is a follow up to his 68(33) in the semis chasing a 300+ target. Vaibhav has owned the big stage like he's born for it. A prodigy with serious big match temperament," he wrote.
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"Overall Tournament numbers: Leader run getter with 439 runs at 62.71, SR 169.49. A T20 Strike rate of 170 is elite. 30 sixes overall and 78.35% of his runs in boundaries."
R Ashwin's post-T20 World Cup prediction
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"Overall Tournament numbers: Leader run getter with 439 runs at 62.71, SR 169.49. A T20 Strike rate of 170 is elite. 30 sixes overall and 78.35% of his runs in boundaries."
R Ashwin's post-T20 World Cup prediction
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Dropping a huge prediction, Ashwin further added, “This kid is knocking on the doors of international cricket hard & fast. Post the T20 World Cup, don’t be surprised if that door opens.”
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Last year in December, Sooryavanshi stole the show during a Vijay Hazare Trophy match against Arunachal Pradesh, becoming the youngest player in the world to get a ton in List A cricket at the age of 14 years and 272 days. The knock also saw him break AB de Villiers' record for the fastest 150 in List A cricket, off only 59 deliveries. He registered 190 off 84 balls, hammering 16 fours and 15 sixes.
Neelav Chakravarti has been part of the digital sports team at Hindustan Times since 2022, where he covers a wide range of disciplines, including chess, cricket, football, and Olympic sports. Working in a fast-paced digital newsroom, he regularly handles live blogs, breaking updates, and trending stories, combining speed with clarity to keep readers informed in real time. Chess remains both a professional beat and a personal passion for Neelav, and he closely tracks major international tournaments, player narratives, and emerging talents. He is particularly fascinated by the patience, calculation, and strategic depth the game demands, often exploring the psychological side of competition in his writing. Beyond sports journalism, Neelav has a deep interest in visual storytelling and filmmaking, actively participating in film festivals and engaging with independent cinema. He is especially drawn to films that capture the subtleties of everyday life and human relationships, appreciating storytelling that balances realism with emotional depth. This creative interest complements his approach to sports coverage, where he enjoys highlighting the human stories behind performances and results.
A history enthusiast by academic training, Neelav holds a bachelor’s degree in the subject and maintains a sustained interest in ancient and medieval Indian history, particularly in cultural and social transitions across eras. His curiosity about the past often shapes his perspective on contemporary narratives and long-form storytelling. When he isn’t tracking scores or developing storylines, Neelav enjoys spending time over the chessboard, relaxing with his cats, or listening to the Empire podcast by Anita Anand and William Dalrymple. He also enjoys reading long-form sports writing that explores the emotional and cultural layers of sport, while maintaining a quiet routine that balances reading, reflection, and occasional time with friends.
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Home/Cricket/Vaibhav Sooryavanshi tipped for India debut after T20 World Cup: ‘A prodigy. This kid is ready’
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