India's cricketing landscape has witnessed the spectacular rise of a new star, and his extraordinary journey has now received the nation's highest recognition. On Friday, left-handed batting sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi was conferred the prestigious Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar by President Droupadi Murmu at a ceremony in New Delhi. The award celebrates his phenomenal achievements in both age-group and senior-level cricket over the past year, marking another milestone in his already storied young career.
A Meteoric Rise to National Stardom
At just 14 years of age, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has transcended the boundaries of youth cricket to become a household name. His rapid ascent has drawn inevitable, yet respectful, comparisons to the legendary Sachin Tendulkar. The prodigy first captured the nation's imagination last year when he became the youngest-ever player to secure an Indian Premier League contract. The Rajasthan Royals acquired his services for a staggering Rs 1.1 crore, a testament to his immense potential.
His credentials were already impressive before the IPL spotlight found him. Sooryavanshi announced his arrival on the international youth stage with a blistering 58-ball century for India against Australia Under-19s. He continued his fine form in the 2024 ACC Under-19 Asia Cup, amassing 176 runs at a solid average of 44.
Record-Breaking Feats in IPL and Beyond
Thrust into the IPL arena due to an injury to captain Sanju Samson, Sooryavanshi displayed nerves of steel. He announced his arrival in the most dramatic fashion possible, smashing his very first ball in the league for a six. His debut season was nothing short of spectacular, as he piled up 252 runs in just seven innings, maintaining a strike rate well above 200.
The pinnacle of his IPL season was a historic knock against the Gujarat Titans. Sooryavanshi blasted a century off just 35 balls, etching his name in the record books as the youngest centurion in T20 cricket history and the fastest Indian to reach an IPL hundred. This was just the beginning of his record-spree.
Dominating the Global Youth Circuit
The young left-hander carried his devastating form onto the global stage. During the India Under-19 tour of England, he smashed the fastest century in youth ODI historyhundred off a mere 32 balls.
His hunger for records extended to domestic cricket as well. Last month, he became the youngest player to score a century in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. Earlier this week, he broke another barrier by becoming the youngest to hit a men's List A hundred in the Vijay Hazare Trophy. In the same innings, he obliterated a long-standing record held by AB de Villiers, registering the fastest 150 in the format's history.
The Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar serves as a fitting tribute to a year of relentless record-breaking and awe-inspiring performances. Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's journey from a promising teenager to a national award winner underscores a rare talent that is meticulously rewriting cricket's history books. The nation now watches with bated breath as this young maestro continues his extraordinary journey.
