In a remarkable display of talent and determination, Harvansh Singh, the son of a truck driver, etched his name in the annals of Indian cricket by smashing a century for the India U19 team against an England Invitational XI. What makes this feat even more extraordinary is that he achieved this milestone batting at No. 9, decimating the English bowlers with an array of powerful strokes, including nine towering sixes.
The warm-up match, held at Loughborough University in Leicestershire, served as a prelude to the five-match Youth One-Day International series and two Youth Test matches between India U19 and England U19, scheduled to commence on June 27, 2025.
India U19 won the warm-up game by 231 runs. Opting to bat first after losing the toss, the Indian innings got off to a shaky start. The highly anticipated opening pair of Ayush Mhatre, who had previously played for Chennai Super Kings in IPL 2025, and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, who represented Rajasthan Royals, failed to provide the desired impetus, falling cheaply within the first five overs. The team soon found themselves in dire straits at 91/5 in the 13th over.
Just when the innings seemed to be crumbling, Kanishk Chouhan (79) and Rahul Kumar (73) staged a brilliant recovery, forging a 140-run partnership that steadied the ship. However, with the score at 251/7 in the 36th over, another collapse loomed. That's when Harvansh Singh Pangalia walked in to bat, joining R.S. Ambrish at the crease.
Together, they orchestrated a stunning turnaround, adding a whirlwind 126 runs to the total. While Ambrish contributed a quick-fire 72 off 47 balls, it was Harvansh who stole the show with his audacious hitting. When Ambrish departed, Harvansh was at 47 off 33 deliveries and he reached his half-century with a boundary off the next ball.
The final three overs witnessed an explosive display of power-hitting from the young Harvansh. He began the 48th over with consecutive sixes off Manny Lumsden, who also conceded two no-balls in the process. In the following over, he launched Matthew Firbank for another six. The final over saw him punish Lumsden further, smashing a four followed by a hat-trick of sixes to reach his century off just 52 balls. His second fifty came in a mere 18 deliveries.
Harvansh's remarkable innings propelled India U19 to a formidable total of 442/9. His knock was characterized by nine towering sixes, with the leg-side boundary being his preferred target.
Harvansh hails from Gandhidham, a town in Gujarat's Rann of Kutch. His family is now settled in Canada, where his father works as a truck driver in Brampton. He is a wicketkeeper-batter and represents Saurashtra in domestic cricket. This isn't the first time Harvansh has showcased his talent. Last October, he scored 117 against Australia U19, including seven fours and six sixes.
This incredible century serves as a testament to Harvansh Singh's talent, hard work, and unwavering spirit. It also underscores the importance of perseverance and the ability to seize opportunities, regardless of circumstances. His innings will undoubtedly inspire countless young cricketers across India and beyond, proving that with dedication and self-belief, anything is possible. As the India U19 team embarks on their tour of England, Harvansh Singh's name will be on everyone's lips, and his performance will be eagerly anticipated.
