India’s teenage batting sensation surpasses shooter Saurabh Chaudhary’s record after playing a part in the men’s cricket team’s 19-run victory over Pakistan in the Asian Games 2026 final
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has created history at the age of 15, becoming the youngest Indian to win a gold medal at the Asian Games. The teenage batting sensation achieved the milestone on Saturday as India defeated Pakistan by 19 runs in the men’s cricket final at the 2026 Asian Games in Japan.
At 15 years, six months, and seven days, Sooryavanshi surpassed Indian shooter Saurabh Chaudhary, who had held the record since winning gold in the men’s 10m air pistol event at the 2018 Asian Games in Jakarta at 16 years, three months, and nine days.
The achievement adds another remarkable chapter to the young cricketer’s rapidly growing career. Already recognised for his aggressive batting and record-breaking performances, Sooryavanshi has now made his mark on the Asian Games stage, becoming part of an Indian team that successfully defended its men’s cricket title.
A record-breaking achievement
Sooryavanshi’s achievement is particularly significant because he has entered the record books at an age when most cricketers are still making their way through junior-level competitions. He is also the second-youngest Indian medallist at the Asian Games overall, behind Sanjana Bathula, who won bronze in the women’s 3,000m speed skating relay at Hangzhou in 2023 at 15 years, three months and 11 days.
Squash player Anahat Singh, who won bronze in the women’s team event at the 2023 Games at 15 years, six months and 16 days, is the third-youngest Indian medallist.
For Sooryavanshi, the gold medal is another landmark in a career that has already attracted considerable attention. His performances in age-group cricket, domestic competitions and international cricket have established him as one of India’s most closely watched young players. In July 2026, he also became the youngest batter to score a half-century in men’s T20 internationals, achieving the feat against Zimbabwe at 15 years and 118 days.
A quick start in the final
Sooryavanshi opened the innings alongside Abhishek Sharma after India captain Shreyas Iyer won the toss and elected to bat at Korogi Sports Park in Nisshin.
The teenager wasted little time in making an impact. Pakistan opened with spin, but left-arm spinner Saad Masood was taken apart in his first over, conceding 24 runs, including two sixes from Sooryavanshi.
The young opener, however, could not convert his brisk start into a substantial innings. He fell for 15 off nine balls while attempting a reverse sweep against Saim Ayub, with wicketkeeper Usman Khan completing the catch after initially fumbling the ball.
Ayub’s animated rocking-the-baby celebration after the dismissal attracted attention, given Sooryavanshi’s age. The moment became one of the talking points of a high-pressure final between the two neighbouring rivals.
Abhishek and Tilak power India to 211
India lost Sanju Samson soon after Sooryavanshi’s dismissal, but Abhishek Sharma ensured the early setbacks didn’t slow the scoring rate.
The left-hander launched a fierce counterattack, reaching his half-century in just 20 balls. He eventually scored 61 off 28 deliveries, striking seven sixes and three fours before being stumped off Arafat Minhas in the eighth over.
Shreyas Iyer helped consolidate the innings, while Tilak Varma took charge in the closing stages. Tilak smashed an unbeaten 51 off just 22 balls, reaching his half-century in 21 deliveries and providing India with the late acceleration they needed.
India finished at 211/6 in their allotted 20 overs, posting the highest total of the Asian Games cricket tournament. The imposing target put Pakistan under considerable pressure in the chase.
Hasan Nawaz’s resistance falls short
Pakistan needed a strong start to chase down 212 but struggled to build momentum in the opening overs. India’s bowlers kept the scoring in check, leaving Pakistan at 76/3 at the halfway stage.
Hasan Nawaz provided Pakistan with a fighting chance through an outstanding innings of 96 off 51 balls. His aggressive strokeplay kept the contest alive even as wickets fell at the other end.
India’s bowling attack, however, maintained its discipline in the closing stages. Axar Patel, Washington Sundar and Shivam Dube all claimed two wickets each, with Dube dismissing Nawaz on the final ball of the innings to seal the victory. Pakistan’s chase ended at 192/6, handing India a 19-run victory.
India complete cricket gold-medal double
The victory gave India its second consecutive men’s cricket gold medal at the Asian Games, following the team’s triumph at Hangzhou in 2023. It also completed a golden double for Indian cricket at the 2026 Games, with the women’s team having beaten Sri Lanka by 147 runs in the final on September 22.
For Sooryavanshi, the gold medal carries significance beyond the result. His contribution of 15 runs in the final may have been brief, but being part of a gold-winning team at just 15 has secured him a place in the history of Indian sport.
By surpassing Saurabh Chaudhary’s record, Sooryavanshi has achieved a milestone that sets him apart even among India’s celebrated young sporting talents. His Asian Games triumph is another early achievement in a career that is still at the beginning, with the promise of many more opportunities to make history.
