India's explosive opener Vaibhav Sooryavanshi etched his name into the history books by becoming the youngest player ever to score a half-century in men's international cricket. At just 15 years and 118 days old, the prodigy shattered the long-standing World Record with his blistering 18-ball fifty.
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi turns youngest men's cricketer to hit international fifty
The record was previously held by Nepal’s Kushal Malla, who was 15 years and 340 days old when he hit a 51-ball 50 against the United States in a 2020 ODI at Kirtipur.
Not just that, Sooryavanshi also eclipsed legendary batter Sachin Tendulkar to become the youngest Indian to achieve the milestone. Tendulkar had held the national record since November 1989, when he scored a iconic 59 against Pakistan in a Faisalabad Test at the age of 16 years and 213 days.
Youngest men's cricketer to smash an international Fifty (Full Members):
India's Vaibhav Sooryavanshi (15 years, 118 days) - 50 off 19 balls vs Zimbabwe, Harare (T20I)
India's Sachin Tendulkar (16 years, 213 days) - 59 off 172 balls vs Pakistan, Faisalabad (Test)
Pakistan's Shahid Afridi (16 years, 217 days) - 102 off 40 balls vs Sri Lanka, Nairobi (ODI)
India's Sachin Tendulkar (16 years, 229 days) - 57 off 134 balls vs Pakistan, Sialkot (Test)
Pakistan's Shahid Afridi (16 years, 245 days) - 66 off 37 balls vs Zimbabwe, Lahore (ODI)
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India hammer Zimbabwe by 7 wickets
After restricting Zimbabwe to a meager 125/7 with a clinical bowling display, India made short work of the chase thanks to a jaw-dropping show from Sooryavanshi. The young opener wiped out any lingering tension early on, tearing into the opposition attack from the word go.
Unfazed by pace or spin, the prodigy smashed four hits to the fence and four over it,storming to a 19-ball 50—one of the quickest ever recorded by an Indian in T20Is. It was a masterclass in fearless hitting that completely dismantled Zimbabwe's game plan.
Already the youngest player to ever represent India in the format, Sooryavanshi added yet another feather to his cap with this milestone. His explosive assault powered India across the finish line with a massive 40 balls and seven wickets to spare.