Abhigyan Kundu made history on Tuesday, December with a stunning knock against Malaysia in the Men’s Under-19 Asia Cup. At the Sevens Stadium in Dubai, the 17-year-old became only the second batsman – and the first Indian – to reach a double hundred in youth ODIs. Earlier this year, South African Jorich van Schalkwyk became the first player to do so and Kundu has now joined the elite list.
In the Group A clash, Kundu smashed a blistering 209 off 125 balls with 17 fours and nine sixes as India posted a mammoth 408 in seven of their 50 overs. He also recorded the highest individual score by an Indian batsman in Youth ODIs, surpassing Ambati Rayudu’s unbeaten 177 against England at Taunton in 2002.
Highest Individual Score in Youth ODIs
- Jorich van Schalkwyk (SA U19) – 215 vs. Zimbabwe U19, Harare, 25 July 2025
- Abhigyan Kundu (IND U19) – 209* Vs. Malaysia, Dubai, 16 December 2025
- Hasitha Boyagoda (SL U19) – 191 vs. Kenya U19, Lincoln, 23 January 2018
- Jakob Bhula (NZ U19) – 180 vs. Kenya U19, Christchurch, 17 January 2018
- Theo Doropoulos (AUS U19) – 179* vs. England U19, Sydney, 11 February 2003
- Ambati Rayudu (IND U19) – 177* Vs. England U19, Taunton, 30 August 2002
- Donovan Pagon (WI U19) – 176 vs. Scotland U19, Dunedin, 21 January 2002
- And Lawrence (Un U19) – 174 vs. U19, Chhattogram, 27 January 2016
FOCUS AND TEMPERAMENT
After his knock, Kundu said he hopes to carry his form into the knockout stages and produce many more big innings.
“As we move into the knock-out stages, my only focus will be to keep converting opportunities. I’ll keep thinking about that,” Kundu said at the mid-innings break.
On breaking the 23-year-old record, Ambati Rayudu Kundu said, “It feels really good to know that I have created a record. Going forward, I will try to break my own record again on a bigger stage.”
“My only thought was that the wicket was playing well and the pace and bounce was good. I felt that if I could stay at the crease for about 45 runs, the runs would come automatically because they were tied to loose deliveries.
“The idea was to build the innings. I have the nature to switch whenever needed and start attacking at any point. So I focused on staying at the wicket,” added Kundu.
Kundu is the leading run-scorer in the ongoing Asia Cup, amassing 263 runs from three matches at an average of 263 and a strike rate of 151.14.
– The end
Issued by:
sabyasachi chowdhury
Published on:
December 16, 2025
