Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar Honors Teen Cricket Prodigy Vaibhav Sooryavanshi
In a significant recognition of sporting excellence, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar honored 14-year-old cricket sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi for his outstanding performance in the recently concluded U-19 World Cup. The young cricketing star met with the Chief Minister, Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Chaudhary, and Sports Minister Shreyasi Singh at the CM's official residence in Patna, where he was presented with a substantial reward of Rs 50 lakh as a special gesture acknowledging his remarkable achievements on the international stage.
Historic Performance in U-19 World Cup Final
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi played a pivotal role in India's triumphant campaign at the U-19 World Cup 2026, where the team secured the championship title by defeating England in a thrilling final. The left-handed opener delivered an extraordinary performance in the decisive match, smashing a brilliant 175 runs off just 80 balls. His explosive innings featured 15 boundaries and six maximums, with the young batsman reaching his century in a mere 55 deliveries, marking one of the fastest centuries in the history of U-19 World Cup cricket.
For his exceptional contribution, Sooryavanshi was rightfully named Player of the Match in the final and also earned the prestigious Player of the Tournament award. Throughout the competition, he amassed an impressive total of 439 runs across seven matches, maintaining a consistently high strike rate that showcased his aggressive batting approach and technical proficiency.
Record-Breaking Career at a Young Age
Despite being only fourteen years old, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has already established himself as a record-breaking phenomenon in the world of cricket. He holds the distinction of being the youngest player ever to debut in the Indian Premier League and the youngest to score a century in the prestigious tournament. Additionally, he became the youngest T20 centurion globally and the fastest Indian batsman to reach a fifty in IPL history.
The Rajasthan Royals secured his talents for Rs 1.1 crore during the IPL auction, making him the youngest player ever signed in the league's history. Sooryavanshi has been consistently breaking records across various formats, including scoring rapid centuries in youth Test matches, domestic tournaments, and List A cricket. He currently stands as India's leading run-scorer in U-19 One Day Internationals, having accumulated over 1,400 runs with multiple centuries to his name.
Recognition and Future Prospects
The honor from Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar comes shortly after the Board of Control for Cricket in India announced a reward of Rs 7.50 crore for the entire Indian Under-19 cricket team following their World Cup victory. Sooryavanshi's meeting with the Chief Minister and other state officials underscores the growing recognition of young sporting talent at both state and national levels.
Known for his fearless and aggressive batting style, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi continues to capture headlines with his remarkable performances. Cricket experts and analysts predict that he will be a key player for the Rajasthan Royals in the upcoming IPL season, with many anticipating that his career trajectory will see him become a mainstay in Indian cricket for years to come. His achievements at such a young age serve as an inspiration to aspiring cricketers across the country and demonstrate the potential of India's youth cricket development programs.
