DUBAI: Abhigyan Abhishek Kundu made a new record on December 16, Tuesday. He played a landmark innings in the Under-19 Men’s Asia Cup. He has become the first Indian to score a double century in Youth ODIs.
The match was played at Sevens Stadium Dubai. The 17-year-old wicketkeeper-batter played an unbeaten 209 against Malaysia. This knock has placed him in an exclusive club. A double hundred is quite rare in Youth ODI. Only one more player other than Abhigyan Abhishek Kundu has scored it.
Jorich van Schalwyk, a South African batsman struck 215 against Zimbabwe in Harare earlier this year.
Abhigyan just needed 125 balls to reach the double century. He hit seven sixes and 19 fours. The balance of Group A has been shifted completely due to this marathon innings. With the help of Kundu’s knock the Under-19 Indian team was able to achieve a towering total of 408 in 50 overs.
It was a significant moment for Indian Youth Cricket. This double ton of Kundu surpassed Ambati Rayudu’s 177 against England in Taunton in 2002. That record has stood for 23 years as the highest score by an Indian batter in Youth ODIs.
Only one player now stands above Kundu on all-time highest Youth ODI score, that is South African van Schalkwyk.
According to Kundu his focus is on what lied ahead and not on what he has achieved. His main focus as of now is to going into the knockout stages and win them. When asked about breaking Rayudu’s long standing record he admitted that it meant a lot to him. He emphasized that it’s great to make such a big record. However, for future he plans to surpass his own record. He further added he wants to make his mark on a bigger stage.
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