Coach’s Advice the Day Before Final Helps Vaibhav Suryavanshi Lead India to U19 World Cup Glory

New Delhi: Vaibhav Suryavanshi’s historic 175-run innings in the Under-19 World Cup final against England was not just a display of raw talent—it was also the result of timely guidance from his childhood coach, Manish Ojha. A single piece of advice and a technical tweak helped the 14-year-old prodigy turn the final into a masterclass, earning India its sixth U19 World Cup title.

A Motivating Message Before the Final
After scoring 68 runs in the semifinals against Afghanistan, Suryavanshi received a WhatsApp message from Ojha that served as both a challenge and motivation. The coach wrote that this might be the first tournament where he might not score a century. Ojha advised him that if he got set in the final, he must convert it into a big innings. Taking this message to heart, Suryavanshi went on to score a blistering 175 off just 80 balls in the final, including 15 fours and 15 sixes, registering the tournament’s second-fastest century in only 55 balls.

Technical Fix on the Pull Shot
Ojha noticed a minor flaw in Suryavanshi’s pull shot technique that had previously prevented him from converting big scores into centuries. When pulling, his head tended to tilt backward and his back knee slightly collapsed, causing the bat’s edge to catch balls outside off-stump. Ojha advised him to keep his head straight and eyes on the ball, allowing full extension of the arms and more power in the shot. This adjustment made a critical difference in the final.

A Prodigy at 14
Though not yet 15, Suryavanshi’s statistics at senior-level competitions rival those of experienced players. He has already scored four centuries in domestic cricket, including an IPL century and a Vijay Hazare Trophy hundred. His highest scores include 144 in domestic T20 and 190 in List-A matches. Ojha praises Vaibhav’s remarkable learning ability, noting that he is one of the few students who never needed to be scolded, quickly absorbing technical advice and implementing it effectively.

Focused on Cricket, Away from Glamour
Despite early fame, Suryavanshi has been shielded from the distractions of stardom. His packed schedule since the last IPL has kept him focused on U19 tours, the Asia Cup, and the Ranji Trophy. His family often travels with him to tournaments to ensure he doesn’t miss home. Ojha and his parents believe that his simplicity and single-minded focus on cricket are what will make him a future superstar.