Vaibhav Suryavanshi, 13, the youngest player ever sold in IPL in the recent mega auction, stole the spotlight as he smacked an unbeaten 76 for India against UAE U19 Asia Cup 2024 in Sharjah. He had a lukewarm start to the tournament with scores of 1 against Pakistan and 23 against Japan.

On December 4, 2024, India faced UAE and hosts captain Aayan Afzal Khan chose to bat first after winning the toss. Muhammad Rayan top-scored with 35 and Akshat Rai made 26 as UAE was bowled out for 137 runs in 44 overs.

For India U19, Yudhajit Guha picked three wickets, while Chetan Sharma and Hardik Raj took two wickets apiece.

Chasing a 138-run target, Suryavanshi had no jitters as he clobbered his first delivery for a slog-swept six over mid-wicket in the second over off UAE spinner Ali Asgar.  

Suryavanshi was in the mood to attack right away, as seen by two more sixes over long-on and mid-wicket against left-arm spinner Aayan Khan. The Bihar batsman walloped Ali Asgar once again with a quick stroke across the line, sending the ball over the midwicket fence for his fourth maximum in ten balls.

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Suryavanshi reached his fifty in 32 balls and ended on 76* in 46 balls with 3 fours and 6 sixes, while fellow opener Ayush Mhatre made 67* in 51 balls with 4 fours and 4 sixes. India won by 10 wickets in 16.1 overs.

With this win, India also qualified for the semi-final of the tournament where they will face Sri Lanka U19 on December 6.