Young Cricket Prodigy Vaibhav Suryavanshi Meets Prime Minister Narendra Modi; Becomes First Cricketer to Receive National Child Award

New Delhi: The year 2025 in Indian cricket has begun with a spectacular story of talent, youth, and record-breaking achievements. Fifteen-year-old Vaibhav Suryavanshi from Bihar has been honored with the Prime Minister’s National Child Award, making him the first cricketer ever to receive this prestigious recognition.

This award, the highest civilian honor for children in India, recognizes outstanding achievements among youngsters aged 5 to 18. Vaibhav shares the stage with other young prodigies, including international chess stars R. Praggnanandhaa and R. Vaishali, underscoring that his achievement is not just exceptional for his age group but remarkable in the global sporting arena.

A Record-Breaking Feat on the Cricket Field

Vaibhav captured the nation’s attention when he smashed an astonishing 190 runs off just 84 balls against Arunachal Pradesh in the Vijay Hazare Trophy. His innings included 16 boundaries and 15 sixes, a performance that shattered a 39-year-old record held by Pakistan’s Zahoor Elahi. This remarkable feat made him the youngest player in the history of List-A cricket to score a century, surpassing every benchmark in the record books.

His incredible performances made him the most searched Indian cricketer on Google in 2025, outpacing even legendary players like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma.

A Glimpse of a Promising Future

Vaibhav’s journey with records began early. At the age of 12, he made his Ranji Trophy debut, becoming India’s youngest first-class cricketer. He continued to shine on the international stage, scoring a century off 58 balls against Australia U-19 and later becoming the face of India’s U-19 team in consecutive Asia Cups. His 32-ball century against the UAE further cemented his reputation as a cricketing prodigy.

Today, Vaibhav Suryavanshi is not only seen as the future of Indian cricket, but he has also become a source of inspiration for millions of young Indians, proving that talent and dedication can surpass the limits of age.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi personally met Vaibhav to congratulate him, and the award was conferred upon him by the President of India, marking a historic moment in Indian sports.