President Droupadi Murmu presented the Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar (PMRBP) to 14-year-old cricket star Vaibhav Suryavanshi of Bihar on Thursday at Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi. Following the event, the young cricket player is also expected to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
For children between the ages of 5 and 18, the PMRBP is India’s highest civilian award. Every year, it is given out for exceptional accomplishments in a variety of fields, such as athletics, social service, creativity, science and technology, bravery, art and culture, and the environment. Vaibhav won the prize in the sports category.
The left-handed batter is anticipated to go to Zimbabwe with the rest of the India Under-19 team after the ceremony as they get ready for the forthcoming Under-19 World Cup, which starts on January 15.
Following an unprecedented domestic season, Vaibhav received unprecedented acclaim. He hit 190 off 84 balls against Arunachal Pradesh earlier this week, hitting 16 fours and 15 sixes to help Bihar reach a world record 574 for six in 50 overs. He became the youngest centurion in List A cricket history by reaching his century in just 36 balls.
Additionally, Vaibhav beat AB de Villiers’ record for the fastest 150 in List A cricket by ten deliveries during the innings. He has the most sixes of any Indian in the format with 15.
Vaibhav first appeared in action against the United Arab Emirates at the Under-19 Asia Cup, when he started with a commanding 171. He was unable to sustain that performance throughout the competition, though, and India ultimately lost the championship match to Pakistan.
While playing for the Rajasthan Royals in the Indian Premier League earlier this year, the teenager already attracted national attention. Against the Gujarat Titans, captained by Shubman Gill, he achieved the fastest century by an Indian in IPL history in just 35 balls.
