WATCH: President Droupadi Murmu pays tribute to cricket prodigy Vaibhav Suryavanshi with Bal Puraskar
India‘s cricket landscape gained a shining beacon as 14-year-old prodigy Vaibhav Suryavanshi received on Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar Since President Draupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan on December 25, 2025, during Veer Baal Diwas celebrations.
Vaibhav Suryavanshi receives Bal Puraskar from President Droupadi Murmu
The left-handed opener from Bihar, born on March 27, 2011 in Tajpur village of Samastipur district, skipped a Vijay Hazare Trophy match to attend the ceremony, where the president praised his record-breaking achievements in a “highly competitive world of cricket“, urging other children to imitate him. After the event, Suryavanshi met Prime Minister Narendra Modimarking another milestone in his meteoric rise amid national recognition for youth excellence in sport.
President Murmu, while presenting the award, praised his commitment and achievements, saying that these young talents “inspire hope for a better future in Indian sports.” The Prime Minister also expressed confidence that Vaibhav “shine on the world stage.” This double recognition underlines the government’s support for promoting sporting excellence among young people.
Here is the video:
Meet the new recipient of the Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar, the highest civilian honor for children. Vaibhav Sooryavanshi 👏👏💗 pic.twitter.com/2gr8N64ToP
– Rajasthan Royals (@rajasthanroyals) December 26, 2025
ALSO READ: Top 5 Youngest Centurions in List A Cricket with Vaibhav Suryavanshi
Suryavanshi’s record-breaking exploits fuel national pride
Suryavanshi’s journey from the dusty fields of Bihar to global headlines is due to his family’s relentless support: his father Sanjeev sold farmland to fund training at academies in Samastipur and Patna, while his mother prepared meals early for grueling 5-6 hour sessions. In the Vijay Hazare Trophy on December 23, 2025, he made 190 from 84 balls (16 fours, 15 sixes) against Arunachal Pradeshwinning the fastest List A 150 in 54 balls, eclipsing AB de Villiers– and becoming the youngest List A centurion at 14 years and 272 days with a 36-ball ton. Earlier, his unbeaten 108 from 61 balls (7 fours, 7 sixes) against Maharashtra in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy on December 2, he became the youngest centurion in the tournament.
His T20 fireworks include a 35-ball IPL century (101 off 38) for Rajasthan Royals against Gujarat Titans in 2025, the fastest by an Indian and youngest T20 ton ever, plus three T20 hundreds at the age of 14. In the U-19 Asia Cup, he hammered 171 off 95 balls (14 sixes) against United Arab Emiratesshattering youth ODI records for most sixes in an innings and a tournament. Now ready to join India U-19 for the World Cup in Zimbabwe starting January 15, 2026, skipping Vijay Hazare’s remaining matches, Suryavanshi embodies the courage that redefines prodigies. His exploits, stripped of age conflicts thanks to medical testing, are the dreams of small-town talent, blending explosive power and maturity that experts say will propel him to stardom.
ALSO WATCH: Unsportsmanlike scenes as Pakistan fans mock teenage Indian batting sensation after U-19 Asia Cup setback
