India’s 13-year-old sensation Vaibhav Suryavanshi, who was bought by Rajasthan Royals in the IPL 2025 Auction for Rs 1.1 crore, once again found himself in the middle of an age fraud controversy. Former Pakistan cricketer Junaid Khan took to social media to share a video of his knock during the U-19 Asia Cup tournament and questioned the age of the youngster. Vaibhav produced a brilliant batting performance against Sri Lanka and Junaid questioned if a 13-year-old is capable of hitting such massive sixes. Vaibhav ended up being the joint highest-scorer for India in the competition with his best performance coming against Sri Lanka where he slammed 67 runs with the help of 5 fours and 5 sixes.

Junaid shared the video of that innings by Vaibhav on social media platform Instagram along with the caption – “Can a 13-year-old kid really hit such a long six?”

Earlier, when asked about the controversies regarding Vaibhav’s actual age which many believe is 15 years, his father – Sanjiv Suryavanshi – was quick to clarify.

“When he was 8 and half years old he first appeared for a BCCI bone test. He has already played India U-19. We don’t fear anyone. He can again undergo age test,” he sounded defiant while speaking with PTI.

Sanjiv said that Bihar Cricket Association president Rakesh Tiwary’s “blessings” have always helped Vaibhav in his journey.

“Rakesh ji ka ashirwaad raha hai bahoot (Rakesh ji’s blessings are there).”

His base price in the auction was Rs. 30 lakh and Delhi Capitals made the opening bid. RR entered the fray at Rs. 35 lakh and eventually got the better of DC to get the player on board.

So how did this bidding war happen?

“Rajasthan Royals had called him for trials in Nagpur. Vikram Rathour sir (batting coach) gave a match situation where he had to score 17 in an over. Bituwa ne 3 chakka mara. Trials mein aat chakka aur char chauwaa mara (He smashed three sixes. At trials, he hit eight sixes and four fours),” he claimed proudly.

(With PTI inputs)

India vs Bangladesh, U19 Asia Cup Final, Live Updates: The D-Day is finally here as India are all set to face Bangladesh in the final match of the ongoing U19 Asia Cup on Sunday in Dubai. India, the most successful team in the tournament’s history with eight titles, will be keen to reclaim their crown after a three-year gap. Defending champions Bangladesh, who eliminated India in the last edition, are determined to retain their title in what will be a rematch of the 2023 semi-final. India’s batting has been spearheaded by opener Ayush Mhatre, who has amassed 175 runs, and 13-year-old sensation Vaibhav Suryavanshi, who has scored 167 runs in the tournament. (Live Scorecard)

Bangladesh U19 (Playing XI): Zawad Abrar, Kalam Siddiki Aleen, Md Azizul Hakim Tamim(c), Mohammad Shihab James, Md Farid Hasan Faysal(w), Debasish Sarkar Deba, Md Samiun Basir Ratul, Maruf Mridha, Md Rizan Hossan, Al Fahad, Iqbal Hossain Emon

India U19 (Playing XI): Ayush Mhatre, Vaibhav Suryavanshi, Andre Siddarth C, Mohamed Amaan(c), KP Karthikeya, Nikhil Kumar, Harvansh Singh(w), Kiran Chormale, Hardik Raj, Chetan Sharma, Yudhajit Guha.

Here are the live score and updates from India vs Bangladesh U19 Asia Cup 2024 final:

Thirteen-year-old cricketing prodigy Vaibhav Suryavanshi continued to make headlines in the U19 Asia Cup, showcasing his immense talent in the second semi-final as they defeated Sri Lanka by seven wickets with 170 balls to spare to reach the final. The left-handed batter played a blistering knock of 67 runs off just 36 balls. Suryavanshi became the youngest-ever player to be signed in the Indian Premier League (IPL) after being picked by Rajasthan Royals for Rs 1.1 crore. India’s bowlers set the tone in the semi-final by restricting Sri Lanka to a modest 173 in 47 overs. Chetan Sharma led the attack with three wickets, while Kiran Chormale and Ayush Mhatre chipped in with two wickets apiece.

Chasing 174, Suryavanshi wasted no time in dismantling Sri Lanka’s bowling attack. The young opener reached his half-century in just 24 balls, punishing the bowlers with six boundaries and five towering sixes. His fearless intent was evident as India smashed 31 runs in the second over, setting the stage for an emphatic chase.

Contributions from Ayush Mhatre (34), Mohammed Amaan (26*), and KP Karthikeya (11*) sealed India’s spot in the final in just 23.2 overs.

Suryavanshi’s Asia Cup journey began on a quiet note, with scores of 1 and 23 against Pakistan and Japan in the group stages. However, he bounced back in style with an unbeaten 76 in the final group-stage match against UAE, a performance that carried over into his match-winning innings against Sri Lanka.

India will now face defending champions Bangladesh in the final in the hope of clinching their ninth title.

Brief scores: Sri Lanka U19 173/10 in 46.2 overs (Lakvin Abeysinghe 69, Sharujan Shanmuganathan 42; Chetan Sharma 3-34, Kiran Chormale 2-32) lost to India U19 (Vaibhav Suryavanshi 67, Ayush Mhatre 34; Praveen Maneesha 1-27, Vihas Thewmika 1-33) by seven wickets.

India vs Sri Lanka, U19 Asia Cup 2024 Semi-Final, Live Updates: India are all set to face Sri Lanka in the second semi-final match of the ongoing ACC U19 Asia Cup 2024 in Sharjah on Friday. India qualified for the semi-finals after thrashing UAE by 10 wickets in their final group game in Sharjah. Chasing 137, Vaibhav Suryavanshi (76*) and Ayush Mhatre (67*) added an unbeaten 143 to see India across the line in just 16.1 overs. Earlier, UAE were bowled out for 137 with six overs to spare, having opted to bat first. (Live Scorecard)

Thirteen-year-old Vaibhav Suryavanshi lived up to the hype around his rare talent as India outclassed United Arab Emirates (UAE) by 10 wickets to enter the semifinals of the U-19 Asia Cup in Sharjah on Wednesday. Electing to bat, UAE lost wickets at regular intervals to be bundled out for 137 in 44 overs. Right-arm medium pacer Yudhajit Guha was the pick of the bowlers for India with figures of 3/15, while Chetan Sharma (2/27) and all-rounder Hardik Raj (2/28) scalped two wickets apiece.

India cantered home in 16.1 overs riding on unbeaten half-centuries from the opening duo of Suryavanshi (76 off 46) and Ayush Mhatre (67 off 51).

Suryavanshi recently turned heads at the IPL auction where he was sold to Rajasthan Royals for Rs 1.10 crore, becoming the youngest player to go under the hammer in the league’s history.

While left-hander Suryavanshi decorated his innings with three hits to the fence and four strikes over it, Mhatre struck four boundaries and as many sixes during his knock. Majority of the 13-year-old’s sixes came in the cow corner region.

India started their campaign on a disappointing note, losing to arch-rivals Pakistan by 43 runs in their group opener before thrashing minnows Japan by 211 runs.

India will play Group B toppers Sri Lanka in the semifinals, while Group A leaders Pakistan will be up against Bangladesh on Friday.

Both Pakistan and Sri Lanka were unbeaten in the group stages.

India vs Japan Live Updates, ACC U19 Asia Cup 2024: Japan skipper Koji Hardgrave Abe won the toss and opted to bowl against India in their ACC U19 Asia Cup match on Monday in Sharjah. India will be coming to this clash after facing a shocking 43-run loss against the arch-rivals Pakistan. On the other hand, Japan also faced a big defeat by 243 runs against the hosts UAE. Both the teams are now looking to bounce back, in order to get their campaign on track. (Live Scorecard)

India vs Pakistan Live Updates, ACC U19 Asia Cup 2024: India take on Pakistan in a much-anticipated ACC Under-19 Asia Cup 2024 game on Saturday. Pakistan captain Saad Baig won the toss and opted to batThe contest that will take place at Dubai International Cricket Stadium will also be the campaign opener for both the sides. India and Pakistan have been put in Group A alongside United Arab Emirates and Japan. Notably, India is the most successful team in the history of the competition, having won the title eight out of the ten editions. Pakistan have bagged the honour in the remaining two times. 13-year-old batter Vaibhav Suryavanshi, who sold to Rajasthan Royals in the IPL 2025 auction for Rs 1.1 crore, is in India’s XI. Andre Siddharth, who was sold to Chennai Super Kings, is also present. (Live Scorecard)