Teen prodigy Vaibhav Suryavanshi’s struggles against seam bowling was apparent during his brief stay as India U-19 comprising IPL contract owners struggled badly during their 43-run defeat to Pakistan in the Youth Asia Cup in Dubai on Saturday. After muscular left-hander Shahzaib Khan thrashed Indian bowlers to submission with 10 sixes in his 159 off 147 balls, Indians were never in sight of victory target of 282. They eventually got out for 238 in 47.1 overs but rising youngsters like Suryavanshi (1), Ayush Mhatre (20), C Andre Siddarth (15) and left-arm spinner Hardik Raj (0/47 in 6 overs) won’t be amused with their performance.

However it must be mentioned that Mhatre with his touch and range looked a cut above the rest in the Indian team as he got out for 20 which had five boundaries.

The bulky left-hander Suryavanshi, who has had a very poor Ranji season, just got a solitary run as tall medium pacers Ali Raza and Abdul Subhan troubled him a lot.

Lot is expected of the Rajasthan Royals’ Rs 1.10-crore signing but at 13 year and 8 months, he needs a lot of work to be even consistent at U-19 international level.

Subhan squared up Mhatre with a delivery that rose from length and moved a shade to take his outside edge, while Suryavanshi’ feet didn’t move when Raza slipped an angular fuller ball that he edged to the keeper.

The biggest disappointment turned out to be skipper Mohammed Amman, who dragged his way to 16 of 43 balls and his innings was one of the reasons that India U-19 couldn’t really get the momentum once Mhatre was gone.

Nikhil Kumar’s 67 was the only saving grace.

In the bowling department, India depended on their two spinners — leg-spinner Mohammed Ennan (0/34 in 2 overs) and Raj, and both were taken to task by Shahzaib.

Especially Ennan, who either bowled half-trackers or over-pitched deliveries, all of which were dispatched into the stands.

In fact, Mhatre (2/30 in 7 overs) had to be brought in to cover for him and promptly got a couple of wickets, but Shahzaib had done enough damage and 280-plus was a winning total at the U-19 level.

Vaibhav Suryavanshi, a 13-year-old batter from Bihar, has been in the news recently after he was roped in by the Rajasthan Royals (RR) at the Indian Premier League (IPL) Mega Auction earlier this week. Suryavanshi, who is the youngest ever player to register for auction, was roped in by the franchise for Rs 1.1 crore on Day 2 of the auction in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. However, the young batter failed to live up to the hype in his maiden U19 Asia Cup outing on Saturday.

With India chasing 282 in their opening clash against arch-rivals Pakistan, Suryavanshi played nine balls, scoring a solitary run. He was dismissed by pacer Ali Raza in the 5th over of India’s chase.

Ahead of the match against Pakistan, Suryavanshi revealed his cricketing idol and said that he tries to play like West Indies cricket legend Brian Lara.

Speaking to Sony Sports Network, Suryavanshi said that he is focussing on his game currently and not bothered by what’s happening around him.

“I’m currently focused on my game. I’m not bothered by what’s happening around me. I want to concentrate on the Asia Cup first and then take it game by game,” Suryavanshi told Sony Sports Network ahead of India U19 and Pakistan U19 match.

He added that Brian Lara is his idol and he tries to keep it natural with whatever skills he has.

“Brian Lara is my idol. I try to play like him rest I try to keep it natural with whatever skills I have and I want to work on that,” he added.

made his first-class debut for Bihar in January 2024 at just 12 years and 284 days old. Last month, he was part of India U19’s match against Australia in Chennai, where he smashed a 58-ball century.

In five first-class matches, Vaibhav has scored 100 runs, with a highest score of 41. He is currently participating in the ongoing Ranji Trophy.

He also represented Bihar in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, he made his T20 debut against Rajasthan on November 23.

Live IND vs PAK U19 Asia Cup 2024© X/@ACCMedia1