From Cricket Pitch to Academic Pitch: Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's Dual Journey
Following a historic campaign at the ICC Under-19 World Cup 2026, where his explosive batting powered India to a record-extending sixth title, young cricket sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi is preparing to swap his cricket whites for a school uniform. The 14-year-old prodigy is set to appear for his Class 10 board examinations, stepping briefly away from the sporting spotlight to embrace student life.
School Principal Confirms Exam Plans
Neel Kishore, principal of Podar International School in Samastipur, confirmed that Sooryavanshi will soon take guard on what he termed the "academic pitch." He emphasized that the cricketer will receive no special treatment despite his fame. "Cricketer Vaibhav Sooryavanshi will appear for the Class 10th board exams at our school. He has received his admit card. There is excitement among everyone, be it teachers, students or parents, for his arrival. However, we have made arrangements with that in mind, as he is still a student and will be appearing for his examination. This is an academic pitch, not a cricket pitch. We will ensure students have no issues taking the exams. All the facilities, safety, and security will be the same for all. Exams will start on February 17," Neel told ANI.
Record-Breaking U19 World Cup Performance
Sooryavanshi saved his best for the U19 World Cup final against England in Harare, smashing 175 off just 80 balls, including 15 fours and 15 sixes—the most sixes in a single U19 World Cup innings. He finished as the tournament's second-highest run-getter with 439 runs in seven matches at an average of 62.71 and a strike rate of 169.49, registering one century and three fifties.
His power-hitting set new benchmarks, as he hammered a record 30 sixes in the tournament, eclipsing Dewald Brevis’ tally of 18 from the 2022 edition. This achievement makes him the holder of the record for the most sixes in U19 World Cup history.
Metoric Rise in Cricket
Sooryavanshi's meteoric rise began in October 2024 when he struck a 58-ball century against Australia U19 in Chennai—the fastest by an Indian batter in Youth Tests. Soon after, he made headlines at the IPL 2025 mega auction, securing a Rs 1.1 crore deal with Rajasthan Royals and becoming the youngest player in IPL history.
In an IPL clash against Gujarat Titans, the 14-year-old created more records, becoming the youngest T20 centurion and the first Indian to register the fastest IPL fifty. Announcing himself with a first-ball six in the league, he finished the season with 252 runs in seven innings at an average of 36.00 and a staggering strike rate of 206.55, including a century and a fifty.
Dominance Across Formats
His exploits have continued across various formats:
- A 52-ball century made him the youngest and fastest U19 centurion.
- A 61-ball 108 in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy established him as the youngest centurion in the tournament’s history.
- An 84-ball 190 in the Vijay Hazare Trophy saw him become the youngest List A centurion and the second-fastest Indian to reach the milestone.
In U19 ODIs overall, Sooryavanshi is India’s leading run-scorer, amassing 1,412 runs in 25 innings at an average of 56.48 and a strike rate above 165, including four centuries and seven fifties, with a highest score of 175.
Balancing Aggression and Consistency
While his aggressive, high-risk approach can sometimes lead to off-days, it is equally breathtaking when it clicks—the ball flying off his bat to all corners as he continues to take every format by storm. As he prepares for his board exams, Sooryavanshi exemplifies the balance between sporting excellence and academic commitment, inspiring young athletes nationwide.
