"Tere Saath Selfie Loon?": Vaibhav Suryavanshi's Reply Shuts Down UAE Star's Sledging

In a captivating display of talent and temperament, India's U19 batting prodigy, Vaibhav Suryavanshi, not only smashed a record-breaking 171 against the UAE in the U19 Asia Cup but also delivered a memorable retort to some on-field sledging. The incident occurred during India's opening match of the Under-19 Men's Asia Cup 2025 at the ICC Academy Ground in Dubai.

Suryavanshi's spectacular innings, which came off just 95 balls, included a staggering 14 sixes, the most ever in a Youth ODI innings. He also hit nine fours, propelling India to a massive total of 433/6. The young left-hander's dominance was such that he reached his half-century in just 30 balls and his century in a mere 56 deliveries.

However, amidst the flurry of boundaries and record-breaking feats, a heated exchange unfolded between Suryavanshi and UAE wicket-keeper Saleh Amin. As Suryavanshi approached his century, Amin attempted to rattle the young batsman with some classic sledging, chirping from behind the stumps, "Come on boys. 90's curse. 90's curse".

Instead of getting bogged down by the pressure, the 14-year-old Suryavanshi responded with remarkable composure and a touch of humor. Agitated by Amin's comments, Suryavanshi retorted, "Tere saath selfie loon?". This translates to "Should I take a selfie with you?". This response, delivered with perfect timing, effectively shut down the attempted sledging.

Suryavanshi's innings was not only about power-hitting; it showcased a blend of caution and aggression. After the early dismissal of captain Ayush Mhatre, Suryavanshi initially played with restraint before unleashing his full array of strokes. He shared a significant partnership with Aaron George, who contributed 69 runs, rescuing the innings and setting the stage for Suryavanshi's explosive display.

While Suryavanshi fell short of what could have been a double century, getting bowled by spinner Uddish Suri while attempting a paddle sweep, his 171 became the second-highest score by an Indian in U19 ODIs, just behind Ambati Rayudu's 177 against England in 2002. In addition to breaking the record for the most sixes in an U19 Asia Cup innings, he also surpassed Afghanistan's Darwish Rasooli’s overall tournament record of 22 sixes. Suryavanshi's current tally stands at 26.

This performance further solidifies Suryavanshi's reputation as a rising star in junior cricket. Hailing from Bihar, he already holds the record for the fastest Youth ODI hundred, achieving the feat in 52 balls against England. He is also the youngest player to score a century in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. Just last month, he hammered 144 off 42 balls against the same UAE side during the Asia Cup Rising Stars T20 event in Doha.

Suryavanshi's aggressive batting style and ability to maintain his composure under pressure make him a player to watch out for in the upcoming 2026 Under-19 ODI World Cup. His performance in Dubai is a testament to his talent and his ability to handle pressure, both on and off the field.