{
  "id": 18975942,
  "title": "Who is Arjun Rajput? The left-handed batter who came to India's rescue against Pakistan in U19 Asia Cup",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/08/who-is-arjun-rajput-the-left-handed-batter-who-came-to-indias-rescue",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-11-08T16:42:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Yahoo Sports",
    "slug": "yahoo-sports",
    "url": "https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/arjun-rajput-left-handed-batter-164200934.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "India's Under-19 cricket team found a glimmer of hope against Pakistan in the U-19 Asia Cup, thanks to the exceptional batting performance of Arjun Rajput. The 18-year-old from Jalandhar came in at No. 5 for his team, which had struggled to score runs, sitting at 22/3 after choosing to bat first.\n\nRajput's composure under pressure was evident as he took charge of the innings and began playing aggressively. Utilizing sweeps against spinners and aerial shots against fast bowlers, he managed to score 107 off 85 balls, including 11 fours and five sixes. His innings not only helped India recover but also pushed the score to 208 before they eventually got bowled out in 46.3 overs.\n\nThe youngster, who was named in the India Under-19 squad in July this year, has been making waves in recent months. In the 2026-27 Under-19 Vinoo Mankad Trophy, Rajput showcased his skills by scoring 695 runs in eight innings, leading Punjab to the title. He also delivered an unbeaten 55 against Nepal in India's tournament opener, taking three wickets for just eight runs with his right-arm medium-pace.\n\nRajput's journey to the India U-19 team is a testament to his dedication and talent. His father, Hoti Ram, initially sold chhole-kulche from a roadside cart and later ran a small bakery to support his family. Arjun began playing cricket at the tender age of five and has been honing his skills under the guidance of coaches Harbhajan Singh and Vikram Sidhu. His family's hard work and sacrifices have played a significant role in nurturing his passion for cricket.",
  "summary": "Jalandhar's Arjun Rajput rescued India with a brilliant 107 off 85 balls against Pakistan in the U-19 Asia Cup after the team slipped to 22/3. The 18-year-old has enjoyed an impressive rise, scoring 695 runs in the Vinoo Mankad Trophy. Coming from a humble family background, his father supported his cricketing ambitions while earning a living selling kulchas.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 4,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Times of India",
        "title": "Taniya scripts history! India's first-ever beach wrestling medallist at Youth Olympics",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/08/taniya-scripts-history-indias-first-ever-beach-wrestling-medallist-at",
        "published": "2026-11-08T02:49:40.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Economic Times",
        "title": "Pakistan beat India by 3 wickets in U-19 Asia Cup",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/08/pakistan-beat-india-by-3-wickets-in-u-19-asia-cup",
        "published": "2026-11-08T13:41:31.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Gulf News",
        "title": "Pakistan beat India by three wickets in U19 Asia Cup",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/08/pakistan-beat-india-by-three-wickets-in-u19-asia-cup",
        "published": "2026-11-08T16:21:11.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}