India Under-19 opener Vaibhav Sooryavanshi once again proved he thrives under pressure, smashing a brilliant 33-ball 68 during the Under-19 World Cup 2026 semi-final against Afghanistan at Harare Sports Club on Wednesday. His fearless approach gave India the perfect start in a big chase and instantly lifted the team’s confidence.
IND vs AFG Under 19 World Cup Semi Final Action
Chasing a huge target of 311, the 14 year old left hander wasted no time taking charge. He raced to a stunning half-century in only 24 balls, keeping India comfortably ahead of the required run rate. His aggressive start made what looked like a tough chase feel far more manageable for the rest of the batting lineup.
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s Blazing 68 Powers India U19 In World Cup Semi-Final
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi built his innings on clean hitting and smart shot selection. He struck nine fours and four sixes, scoring 44 runs through boundaries before reaching his fifty. The innings added to his strong tournament performance, taking his total to 196 runs in five matches. He has now scored half-centuries against Bangladesh in the group stage, Zimbabwe in the Super Six, and Afghanistan in the semi-final.
Solid Opening Partnership Sets the Tone
India’s chase gathered real momentum thanks to a strong opening stand. Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and Aaron George combined for a quick 90-run partnership off just 57 balls, helping India stay firmly in control despite the big target set by Afghanistan.
Emotional Exit After Match Changing Effort
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s impressive stay ended when Nooristani Omarzai forced a mistake with a short delivery outside off stump. Trying to pull the ball, he got a top edge that was caught by Osman Sadat at mid-wicket. Clearly disappointed, Vaibhav covered his face as he walked back to the pavilion, even though his innings had already put India in a commanding position. He was dismissed for 68, leaving behind a performance that shifted the game in India’s favour.
Afghanistan Post Big Total Earlier in the Day
Earlier, Afghanistan Under-19 had set a challenging total of 310 for 4. Their innings was powered by impressive centuries from Faisal Shinozada and Uzairullah Niazai, creating a tough task for the Indian side heading into the chase.
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