Fourteen-year-old cricketing prodigy Vaibhav Suryavanshi from Bihar is set to receive the prestigious Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar on December 26, 2025, in recognition of his exceptional achievements in sports. The award ceremony, held in the national capital, will be presided over by President Droupadi Murmu at a special event coinciding with Veer Bal Diwas. This honor, India's highest civilian recognition for children aged 5 to 18, celebrates outstanding contributions across fields such as bravery, art and culture, environment, innovation, science and technology, social service, and sports. Vaibhav arrived in New Delhi on Wednesday to attend the event, marking a proud milestone in his young career.
The young left-hander's selection for the award stems from his breathtaking performances in domestic cricket, most notably his record-shattering 190 off just 84 balls (with 16 fours and 15 sixes) for Bihar against Arunachal Pradesh in the opening round of the Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025-26. That innings included a 36-ball century—the second-fastest by an Indian in List A cricket—and helped Bihar post a massive total, while also making him the youngest player to score a List A hundred. His explosive batting has already drawn comparisons to global stars and highlighted his potential as a future international talent, following earlier feats like centuries in the IPL debut, India A matches, and youth tournaments.
Due to his commitment to the award ceremony, Vaibhav missed Bihar's second-round Vijay Hazare Trophy match against Manipur on December 26. While this represents a professional trade-off for any dedicated athlete, the opportunity to be nationally honored outweighs the short-term absence from the field. He is expected to return to action in subsequent rounds, though his participation in the full tournament may be limited as he prepares for selection in the upcoming U19 ODI World Cup in January 2026.
Also Read: MHA to Deploy 53 Additional CAPF Companies in Delhi Ahead of Republic Day
Following the formal presentation, Vaibhav and other awardees will have the honor of meeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi. This interaction aims to inspire the next generation of young achievers and leaders in India. The Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar not only provides a medal, cash prize, citation, and certificate but also serves as a beacon of motivation for aspiring talents nationwide. Vaibhav's journey from Bihar's local grounds to Rashtrapati Bhavan exemplifies how exceptional dedication and skill can earn national recognition at a remarkably young age.
Also Read: Japan Sets Record Defence Budget to Counter China Threat