Vaibhav Suryavanshi Receives Prestigious National Award for Cricketing Excellence
Recognition for Young Talent
Vaibhav Suryavanshi, a promising young cricketer from India, was honored with the 'Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar' by President Droupadi Murmu on Friday. This accolade recognizes his outstanding performances for Team India in age-group cricket and his contributions to the Rajasthan Royals (RR) in the Indian Premier League (IPL), where he has set numerous records.
A Rising Star in IPL
At just 14 years old, Suryavanshi made headlines last year as the youngest player to secure an IPL contract, being acquired by Rajasthan Royals for Rs 1.1 crore. His career has rapidly progressed, highlighted by a remarkable 58-ball century for India against Australia U19 and impressive performances in the ACC Under-19 Asia Cup in 2024, where he scored 176 runs at an average of 44, including two fifties.
Suryavanshi debuted in the IPL against Lucknow Super Giants, stepping in for the injured captain Sanju Samson. He made an immediate impact by hitting a six off his very first ball from Shardul Thakur, finishing with 34 runs off 20 balls. In his debut season, he amassed 252 runs in just seven innings, averaging 36.00 with a strike rate exceeding 206, including a century and a fifty. His century against Gujarat Titans made him the youngest centurion in T20 history, achieving this milestone in just 35 balls.
International Youth and 'A' Team Achievements
Following his IPL success, Suryavanshi continued to shine during the India U19 tour of England, where he set the record for the fastest century in U19 ODIs, scoring 143 runs off 78 balls, including 13 fours and 10 sixes. His century came off just 52 balls, breaking the previous record held by Pakistan's Kamran Ghulam.
He was the leading run-scorer in the ODI series, accumulating 355 runs in five innings at an average of 71.00 and a strike rate of 174.01, featuring one century and one fifty. Suryavanshi further impressed with a blistering 144 runs off just 42 balls against UAE A during the Rising Stars Asia Cup, achieving his century in a mere 32 balls.
Dominance in Domestic Cricket
Recently, Suryavanshi made history in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy by becoming the youngest player to score a century in the tournament, hitting 108 runs off 61 balls against Maharashtra. Additionally, he became the youngest player to score a century in men's List A cricket during the Vijay Hazare Trophy, achieving this feat in just 36 balls against Arunachal Pradesh.
He also broke AB de Villiers' record for the fastest 150 in men's List A cricket, reaching the milestone in 59 balls and finishing with 190 runs off 84 balls, including 16 fours and 15 sixes.
Upcoming Challenges
Suryavanshi is set to represent India in the Under-19 World Cup in Zimbabwe and Namibia, having recently scored 171 runs off 95 balls in the Under-19 Asia Cup.
Career Statistics Overview
T20 Career
In 18 T20 matches, he has scored 701 runs at an average of 41.23 and a strike rate of 204.37, including three centuries and one fifty.
List-A Career
In seven List-A games, Suryavanshi has accumulated 322 runs at an average of 46.00, with a strike rate of 157.84, featuring one century and one fifty.
First-Class Career
In eight first-class matches, he has scored 207 runs in 12 innings, with one fifty and an average of 17.25.
Youth ODI Career
In 15 Youth ODIs, Suryavanshi has scored 767 runs at an average of 51.13 and a strike rate of 158.79, including two centuries and three fifties.
Youth Test Career
In six youth Tests, he has scored 331 runs at an average of 33.10, with two centuries and one fifty.