During their tour in England, the India U‑19 cricket team delivered an unforgettable performance in a warm-up match against England’s Young Lions XI at Loughborough. The top order stumbled, but a young man batting at No. 9—18-year-old Harvansh Pangalia—changed the game completely with a stunning innings that left everyone speechless.
When Harvansh came to bat, India was in a tough spot at 251 for 7. The wicketkeeper-batter from Gandhidham, Gujarat, joined RS Ambrish at the crease. Together, they added a vital 126-run partnership, shifting momentum back to India. Harvansh reached his half-century in just 34 balls, showing great confidence and skill under pressure.
Then came the fireworks. In the final three overs of the innings, Harvansh went on a rampage—blasting nine sixes and eight fours—on his way to a brilliant 103* off only 52 balls. The last over alone featured three massive sixes that pushed India’s total to a powerful 442 for 9 in 50 overs. The team went on to win by a huge margin of 231 runs, as England’s Young Lions were bowled out for just 211.
While Harvansh stole the spotlight, his teammates also contributed strongly: Kanishk Chouhan scored 79 off 67 balls, Rahul Kumar made 73 off 60, and RS Ambrish added 72 from just 47 deliveries.
Harvansh’s story is especially inspiring. Born in the small town of Gandhidham in the Rann of Kutch, he trained at Neelkanth Cricket Academy under coach Nakul Ayachi. He was influenced by his father and uncle, both of whom were wicketkeepers in local cricket. His father later moved to Canada to work as a truck driver to support the family. Even from afar, his father celebrated his son's century, receiving messages of praise and support from all over.
This was not Harvansh’s first big moment on the field. In October last year, he hit 117 runs in a Youth Test against Australia, showing similar flair with aggressive stroke play. Inspired by cricket legends like Yuvraj Singh and Rishabh Pant, Harvansh has built a fearless style of batting that has already begun to make headlines.
With this standout performance, Harvansh Pangalia has proven he can turn a game around—even from the lower order. His ability to stay calm and explode with powerful hitting shows he's a player with a bright future.
India U‑19 now heads into a Youth ODI and a two-Test series against England, beginning June 27. If Harvansh continues his fine form, he could quickly become one of the most talked-about young cricketers in India.
From a humble background to a hero in England, Harvansh’s story is a powerful example of how talent and determination can lead to greatness—no matter where you start.