Abhigyan Kundu Etches His Name in Youth Cricket History

A Landmark Moment in Junior Cricket

When Abhigyan Kundu removed his helmet and raised his bat in Dubai, it marked more than just a personal milestone. Indian junior cricket had witnessed a historic breakthrough. The 17-year-old wicketkeeper-batter became the first Indian to score a double century in a Youth One-Day International, rewriting the record books during the Under-19 Asia Cup.

The Record-Breaking Innings Against Malaysia

Batting at number five, Kundu produced a breathtaking unbeaten 209 against Malaysia, transforming what appeared to be a routine group-stage fixture into a defining moment of the tournament. Facing only 125 deliveries, the left-hander struck 19 boundaries and cleared the ropes seven times, displaying remarkable control and power. His effort placed him second on the all-time list of highest individual scores in Youth ODIs, behind only South Africa’s Jorich van Schalkwyk, while making him the highest-scoring Indian in the format.

A Tournament of Falling Records

The Asia Cup has been a fertile ground for big scores, and Kundu’s innings came amid a flurry of batting feats. Earlier in the competition, teammate Vaibhav Suryavanshi had smashed a 95-ball 171 against the UAE, ranking among the top ten individual scores in Youth ODI history. Kundu’s double century, however, elevated the tournament to another level.

Early Beginnings and Extraordinary Numbers

Hailing from Mumbai, Abhigyan Kundu’s journey into cricket began at a young age. His father, Abhishek Kundu, works with TCS, and the sport became a central part of Abhigyan’s life when he first picked up a bat at the age of five. Under the guidance of coach Chetan Jadhav at the Avinash Salvi Foundation, his training regimen was intense, often involving thousands of deliveries faced in a single day.

By the time he was 13, Kundu had amassed over 21,000 runs and 70 centuries across formats. Those figures grew rapidly, and by 2022 he had crossed 28,000 runs with 93 hundreds, earning recognition in the India Book of Records as the highest run-scorer globally in the Under-16 category.

A Quadruple Century That Turned Heads

Among his many standout performances, one innings continues to stand out. Kundu’s astonishing 408 not out in the Maharashtra Under-16 and Under-19 Premier League showcased his extraordinary appetite for big scores. Struck off just 145 balls, the knock featured 37 fours and 36 sixes and accounted for nearly seventy percent of his team’s total, underlining his dominance at the crease.

Steady Rise in India Colours

Kundu’s transition to international Under-19 cricket has been equally impressive. He made his Youth Test debut against Australia before delivering decisive performances in the Youth ODI series that followed. In Brisbane, he anchored a successful chase with an unbeaten 87 under pressure, earning the Player of the Match award. Another unbeaten half-century helped India complete a clean sweep in the series.

By the time the Asia Cup arrived, Kundu was already known as a reliable finisher capable of accelerating without compromising technique. Against Pakistan, he played a vital supporting role with a crucial contribution after India lost early wickets, while also impressing behind the stumps with sharp wicketkeeping.

Style, Influences, and Leadership Potential

Kundu’s batting is a blend of elegance and intent. Comfortable against spin and strong through the off side, he adapts seamlessly to different match situations. As a wicketkeeper, he is neat, confident, and increasingly communicative on the field. Comparisons with established greats have begun to surface, with some likening him to a left-handed version of M.S. Dhoni. Kundu himself draws inspiration from Virender Sehwag, Brian Lara, and Sachin Tendulkar, while aspiring to emulate Dhoni’s leadership and wicketkeeping excellence.

Having already served as vice-captain of the India Under-19 side, Abhigyan Kundu’s record-breaking double century appears less like a peak and more like a sign of what may lie ahead for Indian cricket.

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Sorit Chaudhary

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