India began their ACC Men’s Under-19 Asia Cup 2025 campaign with a commanding victory, powered by a breathtaking innings from Vaibhav Suryavanshi, who completely dismantled the UAE bowling attack with a sensational 171 runs. The young opener delivered one of the most dominant performances seen in the tournament’s history, guiding India to a monumental 234-run win in their opening match at the ICC Academy Ground in Dubai.
Despite losing the toss and being asked to bat first, the Indian team made a shaky start. Captain Ayush Mhatré, who walked in with high expectations, fell early after scoring just 4 runs from 11 deliveries. His dismissal left India unsettled, but it also opened the door for Vaibhav Suryavanshi to take charge of the innings in spectacular style.
Suryavanshi and Aaron George Build a Massive Foundation
Once settled at the crease, Vaibhav Suryavanshi unleashed a flurry of powerful shots, targeting every UAE bowler with remarkable confidence. His partnership with Aaron George became the backbone of India’s innings, as the pair added an extraordinary 212 runs for the second wicket.
Aaron George played a steady and composed knock, contributing 69 runs from 73 balls before being dismissed. His role proved vital, allowing Suryavanshi the freedom to attack relentlessly at the other end.
A Historic Knock from Vaibhav Suryavanshi
The highlight of the day was undoubtedly Suryavanshi’s explosive 171 off just 95 balls-a whirlwind innings decorated with 9 boundaries and an astonishing 14 sixes. He scored at a blistering strike rate of 180, pulverizing the UAE bowling lineup and putting India in a commanding position.
His innings seemed destined for a double century, but he was eventually dismissed by Uddish Suri while attempting yet another power shot. Even so, Suryavanshi’s innings had already turned the match heavily in India’s favor and firmly established him as one of the most exciting young talents to watch in the tournament.
Middle Order Continues the Momentum
After Suryavanshi’s departure, India’s middle-order batters kept the scoreboard moving swiftly.
- Vihaan Malhotra played a balanced knock of 69 runs off 55 deliveries, adding crucial runs before returning to the pavilion.
- Vedant Trivedi chipped in with a quick 38 off 34 balls, providing the team with much-needed acceleration in the final overs.
- Kanishk Chauhan further boosted the total with an explosive cameo of 28 runs from just 12 deliveries.
At the end of 50 overs, India posted a staggering 433 for 6, setting a near-impossible 434-run target for the hosts.
UAE Batting Line-Up Crumbles Early
Chasing a mountain of runs, UAE’s innings began on the worst possible note. The team crumbled under pressure, losing five wickets even before reaching the 50-run mark.
- Shalom D’Souza managed only 4 runs,
- Captain Yayin Rai added 17,
- Muhammad Reyan Khan scored 19,
- Ayan Misbah contributed 3, and
- Ahmed Khudadad was dismissed without scoring.
India’s bowlers maintained consistent pressure, not allowing the UAE batters to settle at any point.
Prithvi Madhu and Uddish Suri Offer Resistance
A brief period of stability came when Prithvi Madhu and Uddish Suri combined for an 85-run partnership for the sixth wicket. Madhu displayed patience and grit, scoring a well-earned fifty off 87 balls. His knock was a lone bright spark in UAE’s otherwise troubled innings.
Uddish Suri also fought back with 78 runs off 106 deliveries, showing resilience even as the required run rate continued to climb beyond reach. Although their partnership added respectability to the scoreboard, it was far from enough to challenge India’s colossal total.
Saleh Amin chipped in with an unbeaten 20 from 35 balls, but UAE ultimately finished their 50 overs on 199 for 7-falling short by 234 runs.
Indian Bowlers Seal the Dominant Victory
India’s bowling unit delivered a disciplined performance:
- Dipesh Devendran claimed 2 wickets,
- Kishan Kumar Singh, Henil Patel, Khilan Patel, and Vihaan Malhotra picked up one wicket each.
The bowlers skillfully maintained pressure throughout the innings, ensuring UAE never posed a threat during the chase.
Also read: Selling Your Home This Winter? Here’s What You Need to Know Before Making a Move
Looking Ahead: India vs Pakistan on Sunday
With this emphatic win, India has set a strong tone for their Asia Cup journey. Their next challenge comes on Sunday in a high-voltage clash against Pakistan-a match that fans across the region eagerly await.
For India, the form of Vaibhav Suryavanshi will be a major confidence booster. His record-setting performance has not only secured a dominant opening win for the team but also put him in the spotlight as one of the standout stars of the tournament.