India U19 Captain Suryavanshi Scores 127 vs South Africa

Vaibhav Suryavanshi, the 14-year-old captain of India's under-19 cricket team, scored a blistering 127 runs off 74 balls in the third Youth One-Day International against South Africa under-19 on January 7, 2026, at Willowmoore Park in Benoni, helping his side post a formidable total in a series already secured.

South Africa captain Muhammed Bulbulia won the toss and chose to field first, but the decision backfired as Suryavanshi and opening partner Aaron George dominated the bowling attack. The left-handed batter from Bihar reached his half-century in just 24 balls, celebrating the milestone with a sword gesture inspired by the Indian film Pushpa. He accelerated further, bringing up his century off 63 deliveries in the 23rd over with a single off Jason Rowles. Suryavanshi struck nine fours and 10 sixes during his innings, achieving a strike rate of 171.62 before being caught at deep backward square leg off Ntando Soni in the 26th over.

The opening stand swelled to 227 runs in 25.4 overs, with George unbeaten on 90 at the time of Suryavanshi's dismissal, setting India on course for a high score. India had already clinched the three-match series with convincing wins in the first...