Like father, like son. Aaryavir Sehwag, son of legendary cricketer Virender Sehwag, produced a stunning century against the UAE in Muscat on Tuesday. The most-watched player in the Indian squad scored 160 off 168 balls, and India U19 posted 309 for 7 to bounce back from their collapse against Pakistan.
It was not a flashy start. Batting on a tricky pitch that kept low, Aaryavir showed immense maturity to navigate the innings and put India in control. India, playing their first match in the U19 Asia Cup 2026 since the loss to Pakistan, found a steady hand in the junior Sehwag, who soaked up the pressure in the first hour and slowly put India in command. The hundred came off 131 balls, his first for India U19. After that, he opened up. His innings had 17 fours and seven sixes.
The knock also put him in strong company. His 160 is the joint fifth-highest individual score by an Indian in Under-19 ODIs, matching Shubman Gill (160 vs England, 2017) and Mayank Agarwal (160 vs Australia, 2009). It followed a 72 against Nepal earlier in the tournament.
The player did justice to his surname. Former India opener Virender Sehwag holds the highest Test score by an Indian, 319, and also scored an ODI double hundred. The son’s patient build-up was a different approach from his father’s fearless style, but the result was just as thrilling.
For India, who needed a big win after the Pakistan loss, the total gives the bowlers a solid cushion to defend. For young Aaryavir, it is the kind of innings that stays on a cricketer’s CV for years.