Aaryavir Sehwag joins Shubman Gill, Mayank Agarwal in elite list with stunning 160 against UAE

NEW DELHI: Aaryavir Sehwag produced a sensational innings of 160 to join Indian captain Shubman Gill and Mayank Agarwal in the elite list of Indian batsmen during the ACC U19 Asia Cup match against UAE at the Al Amerat Cricket Ground in Oman on Tuesday.The right-hander hit 17 fours and seven sixes in a 168-ball knock to record the joint-fifth and highest individual score by an Indian batsman in Youth ODIs. His effort also matched the 160 scored by Gill and Agarwal at Under-19 level.Gill scored 160 against England at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai in 2017, while Agarwal achieved the same score against Australia in Hobart in 2009.Sehwag, son of former India opener Virender Sehwag, also shared a massive 193-run second-wicket partnership with VK Vineeth to put India in the lead after UAE won the toss and elected to field.

Sehwag falls short of Rayudu’s long-standing record

Sehwag looked set to challenge the long-standing record for the highest individual score by an Indian in youth ODIs, but his marathon innings ended in the 45th over.He was dismissed for 160 off 168 balls caught by Uddish Suri at mid-wicket off Naseem Khan in the 45th over. Sehwag failed to get the required timing when attempting a slower delivery at short length across the line and found the fielder.The record remains with Ambati Rayudu who scored an unbeaten 177 against England U19 at Taunton in 2002.Vaibhav Sooryavanshi came close to breaking this mark earlier in 2026 when he smashed 175 off just 80 balls against England in the U-19 World Cup final. Sooryavanshi also occupies the third position on the list with his 171 against the UAE in 2025.Raj Bawa’s unbeaten 162 against Uganda in 2022 is the fourth highest score by an Indian in youth ODIs.Sehwag’s 160 puts him next to Gill and Agarwal at the next position on the list.

From a cautious start to an onslaught full of boundaries

Sehwag started his innings cautiously as India reached 42 for no loss in the first 10 overs. However, once he settled down, he shifted into gear and launched an attack on the UAE bowling, combining boundaries with smart running between the wickets.His partnership with Vineeth proved vital in rebuilding and accelerating India’s innings after the opening stand. A partnership of 193 for the second wicket gave India the platform to push for a substantial total.India entered the competition looking to bounce back from their three-wicket defeat to Pakistan in the previous group match. Despite Arjun Rajput’s century, India were bowled out for 208 before Pakistan chased down the target, fueled by Hamza Zahoor’s match-winning hundred.