Vaibhav Suryavanshi's remarkable 2025 culminated in the 14-year-old cricketer receiving the Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal
Puraskar, India's highest civilian honor for individuals aged 5-18, marking the first time a cricketer has been awarded
this distinction. This recognition highlights a year defined by exceptional performances across various levels of
Suryavanshi's impact extended beyond mere record-chasing, reshaping expectations of young talent in cricket. Data
indicates that he was the most-searched Indian cricketer on Google in 2025, surpassing established stars. This surge in
public interest stemmed from his on-field achievements, not just novelty.
A defining moment arrived during a Vijay Hazare Trophy match against Arunachal Pradesh, where Suryavanshi scored 190
runs off 84 balls, achieving a strike rate of 226.19. This innings made him the youngest player in List A cricket
history to score a century, breaking a record held for 39 years. He also scored 101 off 38 balls against Gujarat Titans
in the IPL, becoming the youngest player to score a T20 century at 14 years and 32 days. He equaled Murali Vijay's IPL
record with eleven sixes. He also scored 57 off 33 balls against Chennai Super Kings.
His performances in domestic cricket include a Ranji Trophy debut at 12 years and 284 days, making him India’s youngest
first-class cricketer. He secured an IPL contract worth Rs 1.1 crore at 13, becoming the youngest player ever bought at
auction. Suryavanshi's impact extended to Under-19 cricket, where he scored 104 off 58 balls against Australia Under-19,
marking the fastest Under-19 century by an Indian and the second-fastest globally. He also scored 144 off 42 balls
against UAE, including a century in 32 balls.
While India has produced cricket prodigies before, Suryavanshi's ability to dominate an entire year of cricket before
finishing school sets him apart. His consistent performances across different formats and levels of competition suggest
a potential for sustained success, contingent on continued development and adaptation to the evolving demands of