In the Asia Cup Under-19, Indian star batsman Aaron Varghese scored 85 runs against Pakistan Read the full match report
ndia U-19 Batting Score
| Player Name | Runs (R) | Balls (B) |
| Ayush Mhatre (c) | 38 | 25 |
| Vaibhav Suryavanshi | 5 | 6 |
| Aaron Varghese | 85 | 88 |
| Vihaan Malhotra | 12 | 16 |
| Vedant Trivedi | 7 | 22 |
| Abhigyan Kundu † | 22 | 32 |
| Kanishk Chouhan | 46 | 46 |
| Khilan Patel | 1 | 5 |
| Henil Patel | 12 | 20 |
| Deepesh Devendran | 1 | 5 |
| Kishan Singh | 0 | 1 |
| Extras | 6 | |
| Total | 240 | (46.1 Overs) |
Aaron Varghese’s Masterclass: Young Star Rescues India with Resilient 85 Against Pakistan
In a high-pressure, emotionally charged encounter at the ACC Under-19 Asia Cup 2025 in Dubai, Indian batsman Aaron Varghese emerged as the beacon of resilience, anchoring a faltering innings with a superb knock of 85 runs off 88 deliveries against arch-rivals Pakistan. His innings, studded with 12 crisp fours and one towering six, was a testament to maturity and classical strokeplay, preventing a complete collapse and providing the platform for India’s eventual total of 240.
💔 Early Turbulence and the Rescue Act
The highly anticipated Group A clash, reduced to 49 overs a side due to an initial rain delay, saw Pakistan captain Farhan Yousaf win the toss and elect to field. This decision immediately paid dividends as India’s batting line-up, which had been so dominant in their opener against the UAE, crumbled under the early pressure exerted by the Pakistani pacers.
The biggest blow came early when the in-form opener, Vaibhav Suryavanshi, who had hammered a record-breaking 171 in the previous match, was dismissed cheaply for just 5 runs. Captain Ayush Mhatre (38 off 25) tried to inject pace but was quickly followed by Vihan Malhotra (12) and Vedant Trivedi (7), leaving India teetering at 114 for 4 in the 20th over. The atmosphere was tense, the momentum completely with Pakistan, and India desperately needed a stabilising force.
✨ The Composed Brilliance of Varghese
Stepping into the chaos, Aaron Varghese, a stylish right-hander, displayed an extraordinary level of calm and composure that belied his age. Instead of panicking, he adopted a classical approach, respecting the good deliveries and punishing the loose ones with surgical precision. His primary task was to build partnerships, and he executed it flawlessly.
Varghese first formed a crucial alliance with wicket-keeper batsman Abhigyan Kundu (22 off 32). This partnership was the bedrock of India’s recovery, absorbing the pressure and patiently pushing the score past the nervous 150-run mark. Varghese brought up his second consecutive half-century in the tournament with a single in the 22nd over, a quiet celebration marking a monumental effort under severe scrutiny.
The true highlight of his innings was the elegance in his strokeplay. His boundaries, mostly coming through the off-side with impeccable timing, were a treat to watch, showcasing a wide range of shots from cover drives to cuts. He maintained a healthy strike rate just under 100, ensuring the scoreboard kept ticking without taking undue risks.
💥 Counter-Attack and Crucial Wickets
As the partnership with Kundu blossomed, Varghese accelerated, finding the boundary rope more frequently. He struck a magnificent six to release the pressure, following it up with several stylish fours, reminding the Pakistan bowlers that India was not going down without a fight.
However, just as India seemed poised for a significant push, the partnership was broken when Kundu fell in the 32nd over. Two balls later, heartbreak struck for Varghese. A valiant innings came to an end on 85 when he was caught at mid-off by Farhan Yousaf off the bowling of Abdul Subhan. His departure, at 174 for 6 in the 32nd over, was a massive blow, denying him a richly deserved century and leaving the tail-end exposed.
In the Asia Cup Under-19, Indian star batsman Aaron Varghese scored 85 runs against Pakistan.
Despite Varghese’s dismissal, his innings had provided the much-needed foundation. The effort was then carried forward by the lower-order batsman Kanishk Chouhan, whose crucial cameo of 46 runs off 46 balls (including two fours and three sixes) propelled India’s total to a fighting 240 before they were bowled out in 46.1 overs.
Aaron Varghese’s 85 was more than just a score; it was a gritty, high-impact innings that pulled India from the brink of disaster. Facing the intensity of a Pakistan-India encounter and the pressure of a top-order collapse, the young batsman showcased the temperament and class of a future star, confirming his status as a key player for the Indian U-19 side. While the final result of the match remains to be seen, Varghese’s performance will be remembered as one of the standout batting displays of the tournament.
