Aaryavir Sehwag chants 'Sita Ram' en route to 160 as India beat UAE in U19 Asia Cup
Aaryavir Sehwag scored 160 to guide India to a win over the UAE in Al Amerat in the U19 Asia Cup 2026, according to a report published on 11 November 2026. The innings was his first hundred for India in Youth ODIs and he said he chanted "Sita Ram" in his mind while batting.
Aaryavir opened the innings for India after his side lost the toss and had to see off the new ball in what the report described as tricky conditions in Al Amerat. India entered the match having suffered a heavy defeat to Pakistan earlier in the tournament and required a return to winning ways. He began with a patient approach before accelerating, his 160 becoming the highest individual score in the tournament this season.
Describing his game plan, Aaryavir said: "The plan was simply to bat for 45 overs. The coaches had also told me to stay there for as long as I could. Initially, when I played dot balls, I didn't mind because I had the belief that I would cover that later. I'm glad I could get a big score and help India win," he said.
Aaryavir credited conversations with his father, former India opener Virender Sehwag, for shaping his mental approach at the crease and explained his method for blocking distractions. "When I talk to my father about the mental aspect of batting, he tells me something that helps me stay in the present moment. He often sings, so there should be some kind of reset button that keeps you focused on the present," Aaryavir said. "So, when I'm batting, I keep repeating 'Sita Ram' in my mind so that no other thoughts come in. I focus only on the ball. Then, depending on where the ball lands, I play my shot. I just try to react to the ball rather than think about what I should do in a particular situation, or whether I should score a fifty or a hundred."
He revealed he had spoken with his father the night before and had promised to produce a big score, and said the hundred made that promise special. On the value of praise from his father, Aaryavir said: "Whenever he texts me saying 'well played' after a good knock, it means more to me than anything else. It's a big moment for me, and I've always loved it when my dad praises my batting because he doesn't do that very often. Whether I score a hundred or not, he doesn't praise me much."
Aaryavir also set out his longer-term ambition and the limits of his satisfaction with the innings, stressing continued work ahead. "But it's a long journey, and I'm not satisfied. I'm not done with my cricket yet. I'm looking forward to scoring many more hundreds and winning many more matches. I want to wear the senior Indian team badge," he said.
He closed by linking that ambition to a hoped-for personal moment with his father, saying: "Hopefully, when I wear the senior Indian team badge, my father will be able to praise me openly. Until then, the hard work will continue," Aaryavir signed off.
