Dubai: It was a day to forget for the Vaibhav Suryavanshis and Ayush Mhatres as India’s next-gen stars suffered a humiliating defeat at the hands of Pakistan colts in an ill-tempered Under-19 Asia Cup final.
Having dominated the tournament and steamrolled all opposition, including Pakistan in the group stage, the Indian youngsters came a cropper against the arch-rivals in the grand finale on Sunday to lose by a staggering margin of 191 runs.
After opener Sameer Minhas’ explosive 171 off 113 balls, studded with 17 fours and 9 sixes, powere Pakistan to a massive 347/8 in 50 overs, the Indian team collapsed spectacularly to be 156 all out in 26.2 overs.
That No. 10 batter Deepesh Devendran was the top-scorer tells its own tale.
The Pakistani bowlers were highly charged up, and celebrated dismissing top Indian batters in a manner which irked their rivals.
It was Indian skipper Mhatre’s early dismissal that set the tone for Indian innings.
Having struggled to get into his rhythm, Mhatre hit a full-length delivery from Pakistan fast bowler Ali Raza straight to mid-off.
Raza, who was the most effective Pakistani bowler, gave Mhatre an animated send-off.
As Mhatre walked back towards the pavilion, another Pakistani player provoked him, prompting Mhatre to turn back and confront the rival. The two were involved in a fiery verbal exchange before Mhatre was ushered away.
Kalesh b/w Vaibhav Suryavanshi and Pakistani bowler:
pic.twitter.com/U73rT0wRZd— Ghar Ke Kalesh (@gharkekalesh) December 21, 2025
Suryavanshi, the 14-year-old prodigy from Bihar, got off to a flier, smashing 26 in 10 balls with 3 sixes and a four. But then he also fell to Raza in the fifth over. And he also was treated to a fiery send-off.
Vaibhav did not take it lying down, and gave it back to Raza, showing the Pakistani his boots, before trudging out.
Kalesh b/w Vaibhav Suryavanshi and Pakistani bowler:
pic.twitter.com/U73rT0wRZd— Ghar Ke Kalesh (@gharkekalesh) December 21, 2025
However, India continued to flounder and handed Pakistan a famous victory.
