Sooryavanshi called ‘terrifying teenager’, compared to darts champion Littler as England, Australia media pay glowing tribute

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s record-breaking 175 that fired India to a record-extending sixth Under-19 World Cup trophy on Friday has become the talk of the town in the newspapers of Australia and England. The 14-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, whose second name has also been referred to as Suryavanshi in the western media, has been compared to England darts prodigy Luke Littler, while a newspaper called him a terrifying teenager.

In the U19 World Cup final between India and England at Harare, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi scored 175 in just 80 balls, smashing 15 sixes and the same number of fours. No cricketer before him had hit 15 sixes in a Youth ODI match.

With Vaibhav going big, India scored an imposing 411
and won the match by 100 runs. As a result, Sooryavanshi was named Player of the Match and also the Player of the Series.

England, Australia in awe of Vaibhav Sooryavanshi

England’s popular newspaper, The Telegraph, paid a glowing tribute to Sooryavanshi by calling him a terrifying prodigy” who rattled England bowlers.

“Another brutal innings from India’s terrifying 14-year-old prodigy,” the headline said.

“Perhaps the most terrifying aspect of Vaibhav Suryavanshi’s extraordinary assault on England’s rattled bowlers in the Under-19 World Cup final is what comes next…,” Will Macpherson, the Deputy Cricket Correspondent of The Telegraph, wrote inside.

“Suryavanshi’s extraordinary 175 from 80 balls set up India’s total of 411. Chasing, England were gallant, and a star of their own emerged, with Middlesex’s Caleb Falconer last man out for 115 from 67 balls as they were bowled out for 311.

“But this was all about Suryavanshi. It was not the first time he had bullied England – he made a 78-ball 143 against England Lions at Worcester’s New Road – and it will not be the last. It was men against boys, except one of the men was 14, and easily the youngest player on the field.”

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The Sun and Mirror in England compared Sooryavanshi to Luke Littler. Two-time Professional Darts Corporation World Championship winner Littler, who is still 19, made his name also at the age of 14 when he won the Irish Open in 2021. He won the WDF Europe Cup the next year and is currently the No 1 in PDC events.

“The age at which Suryavanshi has made an impact on the game has garnered comparisons to darts sensation Luke Littler,” the article in the Sun read.

Another piece on cricket.com.au could not stop raving about Sooryavanshi’s attacking batting. “Playing against English opponents four or five years older than him, the youngster who’s already been dubbed ‘Boss Baby’ for his IPL exploits made it look as if he was the man among boys as he raced to a 55-ball hundred, only ever bettered for speed by Australian Will Malajczuk’s 51-ball ton against Japan earlier in the tournament,” Ian Chadband wrote.

“But this masterclass was against the finest young teenage bowling prospects in England, whose best efforts were all treated with disdain at the Harare Sports Club by the staggering power of this generational talent.”

Not only newspapers, but even social media were full of praise for Sooryavanshi as England and Australian fans hailed the teenage prodigy. An England fan said Vaibhav would be the next Sachin Tendulkar, while an Aussie supporter wished he would be part of the Indian team when they next tour Down Under.