Abhigyan Kundu U19 Asia Cup Masterclass: A Record for the Ages
On December 15, 2025, in Colombo, Sri Lanka, a name was etched into the annals of youth cricket history: Abhigyan Kundu. The 18-year-old right-handed batter from Bengal unleashed a brutal, yet elegant, assault on the Malaysian bowling attack, scoring an unbeaten 209 off just 146 balls to power India U-19 to a mammoth total of 408/7. The result? A staggering 315-run victory that not only dominated headlines but also shattered records in the U19 Asia Cup .
This wasn’t just a win—it was a statement. A declaration that India’s next generation of cricketing talent is not only ready but hungry to dominate on the global stage.
Table of Contents
- Abhigyan Kundu’s Innings: A Masterclass in Controlled Aggression
- Team Effort: India’s Dominant First Innings
- Deepesh Devendran’s Lethal Bowling Spell
- Historical Context: A Place in U19 Lore
- What’s Next for India U-19?
- Conclusion
- Sources
Abhigyan Kundu’s Innings: A Masterclass in Controlled Aggression
Walking in at number three, Kundu didn’t just settle in—he took control from ball one. His innings was a perfect blend of classical technique and modern power-hitting.
He struck 25 boundaries and 6 sixes, rotating the strike with ease and punishing any loose delivery with ruthless efficiency. By the time he reached his double century, Malaysia’s bowlers looked demoralized, and the scoreboard told a brutal story .
What made his knock even more impressive was its context. Coming in after the early loss of opener Arshin Kulkarni (14), Kundu shouldered the responsibility with the calm of a veteran, not a teenager playing in his first major continental tournament.
Team Effort: India’s Dominant First Innings
While Kundu stole the show, he wasn’t alone in building India’s fortress-like total:
- Shivam Sharma chipped in with a brisk 41.
- Nishant Sindhu provided late fireworks with a 34-ball 52, including 4 sixes.
- The lower order, led by wicketkeeper Rohan Pandey (29*), ensured India crossed the 400-mark—a near-impossible chase for any U19 side, let alone Malaysia.
This collective batting depth is a hallmark of India’s U19 setup, which has consistently produced well-rounded squads under the BCCI’s development program [[INTERNAL_LINK:india-u19-development-pathway]].
Deepesh Devendran’s Lethal Bowling Spell
If Kundu’s bat set the stage, Deepesh Devendran’s bowling delivered the final act. The 19-year-old right-arm medium pacer from Tamil Nadu ripped through the Malaysian top order with a spell of 5/22 in just 7.1 overs.
His opening burst—removing openers Norhakim Haris and Muhammad Irfan in his first two overs—set the tone for a complete bowling collapse. Malaysia, chasing 409, were bundled out for a paltry 93 in 27.1 overs, their innings never recovering from Devendran’s early strikes .
He was ably supported by Adarsh Singh (2/16) and Namit Chaudhary (2/21), showcasing India’s all-around superiority in both departments.
Historical Context: A Place in U19 Lore
Abhigyan Kundu’s 209* is more than just a personal milestone—it’s a historic achievement. He becomes only the second Indian after Unmukt Chand (who scored 116* in the 2012 U19 World Cup final) to score a double century in an official ICC-recognized U19 continental or global tournament .
Globally, such scores are rare at this level. The pressure, inexperience, and tactical naivety often prevent batters from converting starts into massive totals. Kundu’s ability to do so against a full international U19 side places him in elite company.
For perspective, the highest individual score in U19 World Cup history is 254* by South Africa’s Dewald Brevis (2022). Kundu’s innings now stands as one of the most dominant performances in Asian U19 cricket .
What’s Next for India U-19?
This victory puts India firmly on track for a strong finish in the group stage. They’ve sent a clear message to rivals like Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh: they are the team to beat.
More importantly, performances like Kundu’s and Devendran’s are exactly what scouts from senior national teams and IPL franchises look for. Many U19 stars—like Yashasvi Jaiswal, Ravi Bishnoi, and Tilak Varma—have used this platform as a springboard to the big leagues . Kundu has just announced himself as the next in line.
Conclusion
The Abhigyan Kundu U19 Asia Cup performance wasn’t just about runs—it was about dominance, composure, and future promise. Paired with Deepesh Devendran’s five-wicket haul, India delivered a near-perfect team performance that showcased the depth and quality of their youth pipeline. As the tournament progresses, all eyes will be on Kundu to see if he can replicate this magic under pressure. One thing’s for sure: Indian cricket’s next superstar may have just arrived.
Sources
[3] U19 Asia Cup: Abhigyan Kundu’s historic double ton powers India. Times of India.
[4] India U19 thrash Malaysia by 315 runs in U19 Asia Cup. ESPNcricinfo.
[6] Abhigyan Kundu 209* vs Malaysia U19 – Scorecard. ICC Official.
[7] List of highest individual scores in U19 cricket. ESPNcricinfo.
[9] Indian batters with double centuries in U19 cricket. BCCI Archives.
[10] From U19 World Cup to IPL: Success stories. The Hindu Sportstar.