New Delhi: Vaibhav Sooryavanshi etched his name in history with his sensational half-century in the first T20I against Zimbabwe at the Harare Sports Club in Harare on Thursday, July 23. The 15-year-old broke the legendary Sachin Tendulkar’s record to become the youngest half-centurion in international cricket among full member nations.
Sooryavanshi also became the youngest half-centurion in international cricket overall. The teenage sensation smashed 50 off 19 balls to help India thrash Zimbabwe by seven wickets in the first T20I and go 1-0 up in the three-match series. His terrific fifty was laced with four sixes and as many fours.
Sooryavanshi became the youngest to score a maiden fifty in international cricket at 15 years and 118 days. Tendulkar held the record previously, having scored a half-century at the age of 16 years and 213 days in a Test match against Pakistan in Faisalabad in 1989.
Youngest batter to score a fifty in international cricket ( Among full member nations):
- 15y 118d – Vaibhav Sooryavanshi (IND) vs ZIM, Harare, 2026 (T20I)
- 16y 213d – Sachin Tendulkar (IND) vs PAK, Faisalabad, 1989 (Test)
- 16y 214d – Shahid Afridi (PAK) vs SL, Nairobi, 1996 (ODI)
- 17y 39d – Mushtaq Mohammad (PAK) vs IND, Kolkata, 1960 (Test)
Sooryavanshi also broke Nepal batter Kushal Malla’s record to become the youngest batter to score a fifty in international cricket overall. Malla was 15 years and 340 days old when he scored his maiden ODI fifty against USA at Kirtipur on February 08, 2020.
Sooryavanshi helps India thrash Zimbabwe
Sooryavanshi was the standout performer with the bat as India thrashed Zimbabwe by 7 wickets in the first T20I to take a 1-0 lead in the three-match series. The 15-year-old opened the batting with Abhishek Sharma and got India off to a flying start in the 126-run chase despite losing his opening partner cheaply on 1 off 8 balls.
Sooryavanshi combined with Ishan Kishan (35) to share a 45-run stand for the second wicket and help set the stage for a thumping win for India. Thanks to the 15-year-old’s half-century, India chased down the target of 126 runs in just 13.2 overs to secure a thumping victory.
