India overran Sri Lanka 138-116 in the Asian Games semi, thanks to Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's 38 off 21. The 15‑year‑old turned the game on its head with a blistering 38, sparking a 22‑run surge that left the Sri Lankan bowlers scrambling.
Sooryavanshi’s meteoric rise began earlier this year when he blasted his T20I debut against England at 15 years 99 days, shattering Sachin Tendulkar’s long‑standing record. He then became the youngest Indian to score a half‑century in men’s internationals, reaching 50 off 18 balls against Zimbabwe at 15 years 118 days.
Gambhir admitted he had to calm the youngster after the win, reminding him that form alone doesn’t guarantee a spot. "The dressing room has a rhythm," he said, "and we can’t just drop veterans for a flash in the pan." He warned Sooryavanshi that patience is part of the team’s glue.
The 15‑year‑old also etched his name in history again when he struck 15 off nine in the final, helping India edge Pakistan by 19 runs for a second consecutive gold. At 15 years 6 months and 6 days, he became the youngest Indian to lift an Asian Games gold medal.
India now faces Pakistan in the final. The pressure on Sooryavanshi will mount, but his confidence is already sky‑high.