Indian cricket prodigy Vaibhav Suryavanshi may have scored only 16 runs in the third Youth ODI against Australia U-19 at Ian Healy Oval on Friday (September 26), but he still managed to etch his name in history. Despite the rare failure, the 14-year-old set a remarkable 21st-century world record during India’s commanding 167-run victory, which sealed a 3-0 series sweep under captain Ayush Mhatre.

Record-breaking run tally

Vaibhav has now amassed 556 runs in just 11 Youth ODIs at an average of 50.54. His tally includes 43 sixes — the most ever in U-19 ODIs — surpassing Unmukt Chand’s mark earlier in the series.

With this feat, the youngster also moved past Pakistan’s Babar Azam to claim the record for the second-most runs in Youth ODIs by a player before turning 16. Only Pakistan’s Hasan Raza, who scored 727 runs in 1997–98, remains ahead. What makes the achievement extraordinary is that Vaibhav is still only 14, with his 15th birthday due in March 2026.

Youngest milestones in world cricket

Vaibhav also became the first player in history to score over 500 runs in Youth ODIs before turning 15. Previously, Bangladesh’s Najmul Hossain Shanto held the record with 305 runs at the same age. Among Indians, Sarfaraz Khan had managed 308 runs before 16, while Piyush Chawla remains the only Indian to feature in Youth ODIs at 14.

In the second match of the series, Vaibhav registered another landmark by breaking Hasan Raza’s record (set in 1997) to become the youngest player to score a half-century against Australia. At 14 years and 181 days, he also claimed the distinction of being the youngest centurion in Youth ODI cricket.

Efficiency and power-hitting

Apart from the volume of runs, Vaibhav’s strike rate has set him apart. With a blistering 151.91 strike rate, he eclipsed South Africa’s Ashwell Prince, who had a career rate of 121.17 at the youth level. Among players with more than 500 runs in Youth ODIs, Vaibhav now tops the charts for scoring efficiency.

His tally of four half-centuries before turning 16 is also the second-most in history, behind Hasan Raza’s six, set nearly three decades ago.

Rising star for Indian cricket

While Friday’s innings of 16 runs ended earlier than expected, Vaibhav’s contributions across the series and his historic achievements have already established him as one of India’s brightest cricketing prospects. Cricket observers note that his maturity, power-hitting ability, and temperament make him a player to watch as he continues his development.

With Indian cricket witnessing a steady stream of young talents, Vaibhav’s meteoric rise at just 14 has underlined the depth of the country’s bench strength in the youth circuit