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Just one match after a disappointing outing, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has made a stunning turnaround after being tipped for India's Olympic T20 team. The 15-year-old teenage batting sensation looked full of confidence for India A against Afghanistan A and played with complete freedom in their second game in the one-day tri-series.
The India A batter played a fearless and entertaining knock against Afghanistan A in Dambulla after failing to make an impact in the opening game of the one-day tri-series against Sri Lanka A. Coming into the series after massive hype, Vaibhav had scored only 14 runs against Sri Lanka A.
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi bounces back in style after early setback in Sri Lanka
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi didn’t take time to return to his dangerous mode as he entertained everyone with some eye-catching stroke play by hammering 44 runs off just 22 balls against Afghanistan A. The most impressive part of his batting was not the big shots but the way he timed the ball.
The left-handed batter’s cover drives looked elegant, and many of his boundaries stayed along the ground, showing that he has strong technique along with natural attacking ability. However, Vaibav once again lost his wicket while trying to deal with a short ball outside the off stump. He attempted an aggressive shot but only managed to edge it behind the wicket.
Ravichandran Ashwin and Sanjay Manjrekar left impressed by Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's stunning timing
Still, the Rajasthan Royals star managed to impress the former Indian cricketers Ravichandran Ashwin and Sanjay Manjrekar. Ashwin hailed Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s timing, while Manjrekar felt the innings showed that the teenager can become much more than just a T20 hitter.
Ashwin posted on X: “Out! But 44(21) absolutely entertaining innings, punctuated with some well-timed cover drives. We have seen his power, but today was anything but brute force. He is some player, this kid. 🤩🤩 #vaibhavsuryavanshi #INDAvAFGA”
Out ! But 44(21) absolutely entertaining innings, punctuated with some well timed cover drives.
— Ashwin 🇮🇳 (@ashwinravi99) June 11, 2026
We have seen his power, but today was anything but brute force.
He is some player this kid.🤩🤩 #vaibhavsuryavanshi #INDAvAFGA pic.twitter.com/Ul3plGh783
On the other hand, Sanjay Manjrekar wrote, X: “India A is in SL, the pitch is not as flat as in the IPL & it’s not T20 cricket. So watching Vaibhav Sooryavanshi in different batting conditions. And I am excited! He is not just your T20 slogger. He can be a one-day phenomenon too! Special talent!”
India A is in SL, pitch not as flat as in the IPL & it’s not T20 cricket. So watching Vaibhav Suryavanshi in different batting conditions. And I am excited!
— Sanjay Manjrekar (@sanjaymanjrekar) June 11, 2026
He is not just your T20 slogger. He can be a one day phenomenon too! Special talent!
Afghanistan get flying start but India A fight back
After Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's dismissal, Prabhsimran Singh played a superb innings of 84 runs and gave the team a solid foundation. Captain Tilak Varma added 66 runs while vice-captain Ruturaj Gaikwad also chipped in with a valuable 66. Although rain reduced the contest to 49 overs, the Indian batters managed to post a huge total of 349 for 9 against Afghanistan A.
Chasing the target, Afghanistan has lost only two wickets so far, but India A captain Tilak Varma's decision to use mostly spinners has slowed down the run scoring. After going wicketless in his first eight overs with the second innings reduced to 38 overs due to rain, Arshad Khan finally gave India A much-needed breakthrough by dismissing Hassan Eisakhil for 34 runs.
Anukul Roy gave India A their second breakthrough by dismissing Khalid Taniwal cheaply for 2 runs. Earlier, Imran Mir and Hassan Eisakhil started the innings in attacking style and gave Afghanistan an explosive start against India A at the Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium, Dambulla. Well, after missing Sri Lanka tour, Riyan Parag underwent successful surgery.
