Cricket prodigy Vaibhav Suryavanshi among Rashtriya Bal Puraskar awardees

Fourteen-year-old batting sensation Vaibhav Suryavanshi, whose fearless stroke-play has stunned the cricketing world, was on Friday conferred with the Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar by President Droupadi Murmu, underlining a remarkable year that has rewritten age records in Indian cricket.

Suryavanshi was among a distinguished group of young achievers honoured for exceptional accomplishments across sports, bravery, social service and environmental initiatives. Also receiving the award were seven-year-old chess prodigy Vaka Lakshmi Pragnika and swimming sensation Dhinidhi Desinghu, both of whom have made their mark on the global stage at an early age.

The Bihar batter’s rise has been nothing short of extraordinary. Just days ago, Suryavanshi smashed a breathtaking 190 off 84 balls, laced with 16 fours and 15 sixes, for Bihar against Arunachal Pradesh in a Vijay Hazare Trophy Plate Group match in Ranchi. The innings not only showcased his audacity and range but also propelled Bihar to 574 for 6, the highest team total ever recorded in List A cricket.

That knock made him the youngest male cricketer to score a List A century, achieving the feat at 14 years and 272 days. He reached the three-figure mark in just 36 balls, underlining his reputation as a rare blend of power and timing.

Earlier this year, Suryavanshi became the youngest centurion in men’s T20 cricket when he blazed his way to 101 off 38 balls for Rajasthan Royals against Gujarat Titans in an IPL match in Jaipur. His century, which came off 35 deliveries, was the second-fastest in IPL history. The India Under-19 batter also struck a hundred in a four-day game against Australia Under-19, further strengthening his credentials.

In chess, Pragnika, hailing from Surat in Gujarat, clinched the Under-7 Girls title at the 2025 FIDE World Schools Chess Championship in Serbia, finishing with a perfect 9 out of 9 points.

Meanwhile, Karnataka swimmer Dhinidhi Desinghu etched her name in history by qualifying for the 2024 Paris Olympics in the women’s 200m freestyle, becoming India’s youngest Olympian. She has also won seven gold medals at the National Games in Goa and competed at the World Championships in Doha.

The awards celebrated not just youthful excellence, but the promise of a bright sporting future for the country.