ENG U-19 vs IND U-19: Vaibhav Suryavanshi-Vihaan Malhotra's tons dampen Flintoff's century as India thrash England by 55 runs to win series

India U-19 rode on Vaibhav Suryavanshi and Vihaan Malhotra's centuries to not only thrash England U-19 by 55 runs in the fourth Youth ODI but also to clinch the series 3-1 on July 5. India posted a colossal total of 363/9 while batting first, thanks to Vaibhav Suryavanshi's record-breaking 78-ball 143 and Vihaan Malhotra's 121-ball 129. In reply, England did put up a fight but in the end ran out of steam despite Rocky Flintoff's gutsy 91-ball 107 and were bundled out for 308. With this India won the five-match series 3-1 with a match to spare.

The 14-year-old Vaibhav Suryavanshi, who had earlier impressed in the IPL with his aggressive batting for Rajasthan Royals, continued his phenomenal form by smashing 13 fours and 10 sixes. His explosive innings helped the India U-19 team reach a total of 363 for 9 in their allotted 50 overs.

During his remarkable innings, Suryavanshi broke the record for the fastest century in Youth ODIs. The previous record was held by Pakistan's Kamran Ghulam, who had reached the milestone in 53 deliveries against England in 2013. The young talent from Bihar achieved his century in just 52 balls. Prior to Suryavanshi, Raj Angad Bawa held the record for the fastest century by an Indian in Youth ODIs, scoring a hundred off 69 balls against Uganda in the U-19 World Cup in 2022.

At the age of 14 years and 100 days, Suryavanshi also surpassed the record held by Bangladesh's Najmul Hossain Shanto to become the youngest player to score a Youth ODI century. Shanto was 14 years and 241 days old when he achieved the feat.

Earlier in the match, after England skipper Thomas Rew won the toss and elected to bowl, India lost their captain Ayush Mhatre early in the fourth over. However, the left-handed duo of Suryavanshi and Vihaan Malhotra steadied the innings. Malhotra played a fine innings of 129 runs off 121 balls, and together they put on a partnership of 219 runs in just 24 overs. Only two other Indian batsmen managed to reach double figures in the innings. For England, medium pacer Jack Home was the pick of the bowlers, taking four wickets for 63 runs in his eight overs, while Sebastian Morgan claimed three wickets.

In response, England's opening pair, BJ Dawkins (67) and Joseph Moores (52), started the chase of 364 runs strongly, putting up 104 runs within the first 15 overs. Rocky Flintoff played a valiant innings, scoring a fine century with 107 runs off 91 balls. However, he received limited support from the rest of the batting lineup as India continued to take wickets at regular intervals. Leg-spinner Naman Pushpak was the most successful bowler for India, taking three wickets, while medium pacer RS Ambrish dismissed two batsmen, including Flintoff.