Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has credited his father, Sanjeev, for keeping him disciplined and also keeping the outside noise away from him. This came after his scintillating 144 runs in India A’s first game of the Asia Cup Rising Stars against UAE on November 14, 2025.
Jitesh Sharma, the Indian captain, won the toss and chose to bat first. Vaibhav was given a life on the very first ball he faced, but after that, it was a brutal display of batting from the 14-year-old left-hander. He played 42 balls and hammered 144 runs, including 11 fours and 15 sixes. His century came off just 32 balls.
After the match, he stated that he used to question why his father was so severe, but now he can see the rewards on the ground.
“My father, actually. Because he has been strict with me since childhood. Pehle mai sochta tha kya papa itna strict rakhte hai (Earlier, I used to wonder why he is so strict). But now, I can see its benefits on the ground. He didn’t let me get distracted. He kept my focus on cricket. He made sure that I worked hard,” Sooryavanshi stated when asked to give credit to the person for his focus.
Sooryavanshi had good fortune, getting dropped on his first ball and being on the receiving end of a run-out with his partner, Priyansh Arya. However, that simply made him more eager to persevere.
“It’s my natural game, and it’s the T20 format, so I had to back my own game. I was dropped on the first ball, but I didn’t want to change my intent. I wanted a big score on this ground because the wicket was good and the boundary was small. So, I was trying to back my shots,” Sooryavanshi stated.
Sooryavanshi said he isn't discouraged by the steepness of his ascension or the attention he has already received.
“It’s a journey. When I look back at my past, I wonder where I was playing and where I am now. I am grateful for these chances. It feels good too. The fans are there to support me. When I am on the ground, I don’t think about anything else. I just focus on the ball,” Vaibhav stated.
India posted 297/4 with Jitesh hammering 83* in 32 balls. Despite Shoaib Khan's 63, the UAE could only manage 149/7 in their 20 overs and lost the game by 148 runs. Gurjapneet Singh took 3/18 for India.
