Vaibhav Suryavanshi smashes Rishabh Pant's record, continues breathtaking form in 2026

Vaibhav Suryavanshi smashes Rishabh Pant's record (PTI Photo)

Vaibhav Suryavanshi continued his breathtaking form and smoked a whirlwind 68 off just 24 balls in the second 2nd Youth ODI between India and South Africa in Benoni on Monday. His knock helped India chase down a revised target of 174 in 23.3 overs as they won the match by eight wickets via the DLS method, with 21 balls to spare. With this victory, the visitors have sealed the three-match series 2-0, with one game still to be played.

South Africa U19, after opting to bat first, were bowled out for 245 in 49.3 overs. India got a revised target of 174 runs from 27 overs due to rain.

The opening pair of Aaron George and Suryavanshi walked out with clear intent and put the hosts under immediate pressure. The pair raced to 50 in 4.1 overs, with Suryavanshi bringing up his half-century in just 15 balls. The effort saw Suryavanshi smash Rishabh Pant's record for the fastest fifty in a Youth ODI. The senior wicketkeeper-batter previously held the feat with a 18-ball half-century, which he had smashed against Nepal in the 2016 U-19 World Cup in Dhaka.

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Coming to the match, George was the first wicket to fall, scoring 20 off 19 deliveries, with India at 67/1 in 6.1 overs. Suryavanshi continued his onslaught, smashed 10 sixes and one boundary in his explosive innings before being dismissed by Michael Kruiskamp in the 8.1 over. At that stage, India was well placed at 103/2 in 10 overs.

Vedant Trivedi and Abhigyan Kundu then ensured there were no further hiccups, calmly steering India home. Trivedi remained unbeaten on 31, while Kundu finished on an unbeaten 48.

For South Africa U19, Michael Kruiskamp was the standout bowler, picking up both Indian wickets and finishing with figures of 2/23 from his six overs.

Earlier, South Africa's innings lacked consistency despite a fine century from Jason Rowles, who scored 114 off 113 balls, including seven fours and three sixes. Rowles and Daniel Bosman (31) added 97 runs together, but the rest of the batting lineup failed to build momentum.

India's Kishan Singh was the star with the ball with 4/46 in 8.3 overs. RS Ambrish chipped in with 2/47 from eight overs, while Kanishk Chouhan and Khilan Patel claimed one wicket each.