Abhigyan Kundu Ascends: The Day He Scored 209 and Changed the Game of power-hitting that changed the game.
India U19 Innings
| Player Name | Runs (R) | Balls (B) |
| Ayush Mhatre (c) | 20 | 18 |
| Vihan Malhotra | 15 | 13 |
| Vaibhav Suryavanshi | 50 | 54 |
| Vedant Trivedi | 90 | 90 |
| Abhigyan Kundu (wk) | 209* | 125 |
| Harvansh Pangalia | 5 | 7 |
| Kanishk Chouhan | 14 | 11 |
| Khilan Patel | 2 | 4 |
| Deepesh Devendran | 4 | 2 |
| Extras (Wides, Leg Byes, etc.) | 13 | |
| Total | 408/7 | (50.0 Overs) |
Abhigyan Kundu Ascends: The Day He Scored 209 and Changed the Game
In the glittering landscape of the ACC Men’s U19 Asia Cup 2025, a star was not just born, but catapulted into the cricketing stratosphere. Tuesday’s Group A fixture between India U19 and Malaysia U19 at The Sevens Stadium in Dubai was supposed to be a routine win for the dominant Indian side. Instead, it became a historic monument to individual brilliance, etched forever by the unforgettable, record-smashing double-century scored by Abhigyan Kundu.
Winning the toss, Malaysia U19 opted to bowl, a decision they would quickly come to rue as the Indian innings unfolded. While the initial stage saw the early dismissal of captain Ayush Mhatre, it was the partnership-building that followed that laid the foundation for Kundu’s eventual assault. Despite the loss of opener Vaibhav Suryavanshi for a well-made half-century (50), and wickets falling around the 30-over mark, the young wicket-keeper batsman Abhigyan Kundu stood firm, transforming a good platform into a near-unassailable fortress.
The Anatomy of a Masterpiece
Kundu’s innings was a stunning blend of classical technique and brutal modern power. The early phase saw him anchor the innings, steadying the ship after the middle-order wobbled. He meticulously picked boundaries, ensuring the run rate never dipped, a clear display of batting maturity beyond his years. He reached his half-century with composure, but it was the acceleration post-century that truly made the cricketing world sit up and take notice.
The century itself was a hard-fought milestone, built on singles, twos, and timely boundaries. However, once past the three-figure mark, Kundu shifted gears with a terrifying efficiency. He began to target the boundaries with surgical precision, showing a preference for the aerial route.
The final 20 overs were pure carnage. With India cruising past 250, Kundu started to put on a show of power-hitting. He reached his 150-run mark with a noticeable increase in pace, and as the Malaysian bowlers tired, he grew stronger. His partnership with the lower-order batsmen, especially Kanishk Chouhan, proved crucial. Chouhan played the perfect foil, keeping one end stable as Kundu unleashed a torrent of fours and sixes.
The Double-Century Barrier Broken
The crescendo came in the final few overs. Needing just over 20 runs to reach the monumental 200-run mark, Kundu displayed a blend of aggression and calculation. The Malaysian bowlers, desperate for a breakthrough, could only watch as their deliveries were dispatched to all corners of the ground. He brought up his double-century in just 121 balls, surpassing Ambati Rayudu’s 177 to register the highest score by an Indian in Youth ODIs, and rewriting the U19 Asia Cup record books.
Abhigyan Kundu Ascends: The Day He Scored 209 and Changed the Game
He remained unbeaten on a phenomenal 209 off just 125 balls. This incredible score powered India to a daunting total of 408/7 in their 50 overs. The sheer statistics of the innings—the number of boundaries, the strike rate, and the impact it had on the final score—underscore the magnitude of his achievement. This was a knock that broke records and shattered the confidence of the opposition, fundamentally changing the complexion of the game before the second innings even began.
Abhigyan Kundu’s masterclass was more than just a big score; it was a powerful statement of intent. The Day he scored 209 was the day a prodigious talent ascended, serving notice to the cricketing fraternity that a future star has arrived.
