Arjun Rajput century rescues India U19 against Pakistan in Asia Cup
The Punjab batter scored 107 off 85 balls after India slipped to 22/3 against Pakistan.
Arjun Rajput hit his maiden Youth ODI century against Pakistan in the ACC U19 Asia Cup 2026. India reached 161/6 after 34 overs at the time of his dismissal, with Aaryavir Sehwag next best on 22.
Key takeaways
- Arjun Rajput scored 107 off 85 balls against Pakistan
- India were reduced to 22/3 before Rajput's counterattack
- India reached 161/6 after 34 overs
- Aaryavir Sehwag made 22, India's next-highest score
- Rajput hit 11 fours and 4 sixes
Arjun Rajput scored his maiden Youth ODI century for India against Pakistan in the ACC Under-19 Asia Cup 2026 on Sunday, November 8. The left-handed batter from Jalandhar, Punjab, came to the crease after India lost three wickets for 22 runs.
Captain Lakshya Rajesh Raichandani was dismissed for a duck off the second ball of the innings, with Pakistan pacer Ali Raza providing the breakthrough.
Raza then removed VK Vineeth for eight, leaving India at 21/2, before Rizwanullah dismissed Yashbardhan Singh Chauhan for one to reduce India to 22/3. Rajput produced a composed innings to turn the contest around, scoring his hundred off 80 balls with 11 fours and 4 sixes.
He was eventually dismissed for 107 off 85 balls. Outlook reported that Rajput's innings lifted India to 161/6 after 34 overs, with Aaryavir Sehwag next best on 22 as the batting line-up struggled.
Context
The 2026 ACC Under-19 Asia Cup is the thirteenth edition of the tournament, a limited overs competition featuring eight under-19 teams taking place in Oman from 5 to 14 November 2026.
Pakistan are the defending champions, having claimed their second title in the final of the previous edition.
Rajput's century marks a major milestone in his youth international career and follows his impressive contribution with the ball in India's opening match against Nepal, where he picked up three wickets as India registered a comprehensive 10-wicket victory.
Background
Rajput hails from Jalandhar, Punjab, and began playing cricket at the age of seven. He joined the Harbhajan Singh Institute of Cricket in his hometown, where he developed his skills before making his way through the domestic age-group circuit.
His father, Hoti Ram, ran a chhole-kulche cart to support the family and fund his children's education while also helping his son pursue his cricketing ambitions. Rajput made a name for himself through his performances in age-group cricket and earned selection for India's Under-19 squad.
He also represented Punjab in the Vinoo Mankad Trophy, where he produced an impressive century against Chandigarh in the quarter-final.
Domestic record
He captained Punjab U19 during the 2026-27 competition and finished as one of the standout performers, scoring 695 runs in eight matches at an average of 139.00 and a strike rate of 121.08. He also struck a match-winning 52 in the semi-final against Vidarbha, earning the Player of the Match award, before scoring an unbeaten 55 off 33 balls in the final against Mumbai as Punjab clinched the title.
What happens next
India's next fixture in the ACC U19 Asia Cup 2026 is not specified in the sources. The tournament runs until 14 November 2026 in Oman.
India innings summary against Pakistan
Batter | Score | Balls |
|---|---|---|
Arjun Rajput | 107 | 85 |
Aaryavir Sehwag | 22 | |
India | 161/6 | 34 overs |
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