Vaibhav Suryavanshi, a 14-year-old cricket prodigy, has been awarded the Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar 2025 by President Droupadi Murmu. The ceremony took place at Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi on Friday. This prestigious award is India's highest civilian honor for individuals between the ages of 5 and 18, recognizing exceptional achievements across various fields like sports, innovation, science & technology, art & culture, social service, and bravery. Suryavanshi received the award in recognition of his outstanding achievements in the field of sports. Following the ceremony, Suryavanshi is scheduled to meet with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Suryavanshi's meteoric rise in the world of cricket has been nothing short of extraordinary. The Bihar-born left-handed batsman made headlines earlier this week by becoming the youngest player to score a century in List A cricket, achieving the feat in a Vijay Hazare Trophy match against Arunachal Pradesh. He scored a blistering 190 runs off just 84 balls, including 16 fours and 15 sixes. His record-breaking innings also included surpassing AB de Villiers' record for the fastest 150 in List A cricket, reaching the milestone in just 54 balls.

Earlier in 2025, Suryavanshi became the youngest player to debut in the Indian Premier League (IPL) at the age of 14 years and 23 days, playing for the Rajasthan Royals. He also became the youngest player to score a century in the IPL, smashing a 35-ball hundred against the Gujarat Titans. He finished his debut IPL season with 252 runs at a remarkable strike rate of 206.56, earning him the Super Striker of the Season award.

Suryavanshi's journey in cricket began at the age of four, and by nine, he was training at a cricket academy. He made his first-class debut for Bihar in the Ranji Trophy in January 2024 at the age of 12 years and 284 days. In November 2024, he became the youngest player to sign an IPL contract when the Rajasthan Royals picked him for ₹1.1 crore.

President Murmu emphasized the significance of the young achievers' accomplishments, stating that their achievements inspire the entire nation and contribute to India's prominence on the global stage.

After receiving the Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar, Suryavanshi will join the India Under-19 squad as they prepare for the ICC Under-19 Men's Cricket World Cup in Zimbabwe, beginning on January 15. His absence from Bihar's Vijay Hazare Trophy match against Manipur to attend the award ceremony highlights the importance of this national honor.

Vaibhav Suryavanshi's remarkable talent and record-breaking performances have made him a sensation in the cricketing world. His achievements serve as an inspiration to young athletes across the country, and he is expected to play a key role in the India Under-19 team at the upcoming World Cup.