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Walking in at No. 5 as early as the 11th over, the wicketkeeper-batter anchored India’s innings from a position of responsibility and carried it through to the final delivery. Kundu remained unbeaten on a remarkable 209 from 125 balls, steering India to a daunting 408 for 7 in their allotted 50 overs. His innings stood as the clear highlight of the match, showcasing controlled aggression and intelligent strike rotation before an explosive finish.
Although the fixture does not carry official Youth ODI status, Kundu’s double century ranks among the most extraordinary performances in Under-19 cricket. The distinction of the only officially recognised youth ODI double hundred remains with South Africa’s Jorich Van Schalkwyk, who scored 215 earlier this year against Zimbabwe. A similar milestone by Bangladesh’s Soumya Sarkar in 2012 against Qatar, where he made 209, also came in a non-official match, placing Kundu’s feat in rare company despite its unofficial status.
India’s innings began at a brisk pace thanks to Vaibhav Suryavanshi, who launched the early assault with a rapid 50 off just 26 balls. Kundu then assumed control of the innings and stitched together a monumental 209-run partnership for the fourth wicket with Vedant Trivedi, who contributed a polished 90 from 106 deliveries. The stand spanned three decades of overs, from the 11th to the 41st, effectively dismantling Malaysia’s bowling plans and setting the platform for a late surge.
When Trivedi fell with India firmly in command, Kundu was already on 128 from 92 balls. What followed was a devastating acceleration in the final ten overs, as he plundered 81 runs from just 33 deliveries to push India beyond the 400-run mark. His innings built on steady contributions earlier in the tournament, including an unbeaten 32 against the UAE and a measured 22 against Pakistan, highlighting his growing influence in India’s Under-19 batting unit.
For Malaysia, left-arm medium pacer Muhammad Akram emerged as the lone bright spot amid a punishing day in the field. Akram claimed five wickets for 89 runs from his full quota of ten overs, dismissing key Indian batters including Suryavanshi, Vihaan Malhotra and Harvansh Pangalia, but received little support as India’s run rate continued to soar.
The result further cemented India’s position at the top of Group A, following earlier victories over the UAE and Pakistan, while Malaysia remained rooted to the bottom of the table after suffering defeats against the same opponents. As the tournament progresses, Kundu’s extraordinary knock not only reinforces India’s status as title favourites but also signals the emergence of a young batter capable of shaping games at the highest youth level, even on stages that fall outside official record books.
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