3 min readUpdated: Jun 21, 2026 11:44 AM IST
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi overturned his indifferent form for India A with a sensational 11-ball fifty, breaking the List A world record for the fastest-ever half-century during the Tri-Nation Series final against Sri Lanka A on Sunday.
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Taking guard at the Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium after Sri Lanka A opted to bowl first, Sooryavanshi charged from the outset, flat-batting Mohamed Shiraz for a boundary on the first ball.
The 15-year-old, who entered the final on the back of a string of low scores and an ugly shoving incident against the opposition earlier this week, turned around the script with a series of sixes and fours. He unfurled his full range in Shiraz’s second over, smashing three sixes and two fours in a 26-run over.
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Sooryavanshi stormed to his fifty in only 11 balls, bludgeoning his fifth six over long-on to break a 20-year-old record for the fastest List A half-century. Previously, Sri Lanka Kaushalya Weeratane held the record for the fastest List A fifty, having struck a half-century in 12 balls for Ragama Cricket Club.
Fastest List A half-centuries by balls
| Balls | Player | Team | Opposition | Year |
| 11 | Vaibhav Sooryavanshi | India A | Sri Lanka | 2026 |
| 12 | K Weeraratne | Ragama Cricket Club v Kurunegala Youth Cricket Club | Thurstan College Ground, Colombo | 2005/06 |
| 13 | NLTC Perera | Sri Lanka Army Sports Club v Bloomfield Cricket and Athletic Club | Army Ground, Panagoda | 2020/21 |
| 14 | RK Kleinveldt | Western Province v KwaZulu-Natal | Sahara Stadium Kingsmead, Durban | 2010/11 |
| 15 | AJ Hollioake | Surrey v Yorkshire | North Marine Road, Scarborough | 1994 |
| 15 | Salman Butt | National Bank of Pakistan v Lahore Eagles | Lahore City Cricket Association Ground, Lahore | 2008/09 |
| 15 | Parvez Hossain | Abahani Limited v Shinepukur Cricket Club | Bangladesh Krira Shikkha Protisthan No 3 Ground, Savar | 2024/25 |
| 15 | SN Khan | Mumbai v Punjab | Jaipuria Vidyalaya Ground, Jaipur | 2025/26 |
Sooryavanshi bettered the Indian record previously held by Mumbai batter Sarfaraz Khan who smashed a 15-ball fifty against Punjab in the Vijay Hazare Trophy last season.
The 15-year-old has only featured in 12 List A matches since his debut in December 2024, including a best of 190 for Bihar in the domestic circuit.
Sooryavanshi misses fastest ton!
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Continuing the charge even after the milestone, Sooryavanshi stormed towards his maiden List A century, but fell agonisingly short of equalling the record for the fastest List A century. The dashing southpaw holed out to the mid-off fielder off SL-A captain Sahan Arachchige, falling on 94 off 29 deliveries before the opening Powerplay.
