Vaibhav Sooryavanshi Misses Match for PM Award—Was It the Right Call?

VHT: Why Vaibhav Sooryavanshi missed Bihar’s match against Manipur

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi: A National Honour Over a Cricket Match

In a decision that’s sparked both admiration and debate across Indian cricket circles, 14-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi was absent from Bihar’s Vijay Hazare Trophy fixture against Manipur on December 26, 2025. But this wasn’t due to injury, suspension, or selection politics. Instead, Sooryavanshi was in New Delhi, standing tall among the nation’s brightest young minds and talents—receiving the prestigious Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar (PMRBP).

The award, conferred by the Ministry of Women and Child Development, recognizes exceptional achievement by Indian children under 18 in fields ranging from innovation and social service to sports and bravery. For Sooryavanshi—a name now echoing through cricket academies from Patna to Pune—this moment is more than just an accolade; it’s a national validation of a career that’s barely begun.

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Why Vaibhav Sooryavanshi Missed the Match

Bihar’s team sheet for their Vijay Hazare Trophy game against Manipur raised eyebrows when Sooryavanshi’s name was missing. Fans feared the worst—perhaps a hamstring strain or a sudden illness. But the truth was far more uplifting. The prodigy had been summoned to the national capital to receive one of India’s highest civilian honours for children .

While team obligations are sacred in sport, the PMRBP ceremony is a once-in-a-lifetime event, often attended by the Prime Minister himself. For the Bihar Cricket Association, supporting Sooryavanshi’s attendance wasn’t just a logistical decision—it was a statement of pride in their young star.

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s Record-Breaking Domestic Debut

What catapulted this teenager into the national conversation? A staggering, almost surreal innings: 190 runs off just 84 balls in the Vijay Hazare Trophy. To put that in perspective, that’s a strike rate of over 226—rivaling the most explosive T20 performances—yet delivered in the 50-over format against seasoned domestic bowlers .

This knock wasn’t just about brute power. It showcased timing, shot selection, and an unnerving calm under pressure—traits rarely seen in players twice his age. His innings included 21 boundaries and 10 sixes, dismantling the opposition attack with a blend of orthodox cover drives and audacious scoops.

Observers have drawn comparisons to a young Yuvraj Singh or even Prithvi Shaw, but many insist Sooryavanshi’s hand-eye coordination and tactical awareness are uniquely his own .

What Is the Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar?

Established in 1996 and renamed in 2018, the Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar is awarded annually on January 22 (National Girl Child Day), though ceremonies often begin earlier in January or late December. The award includes a medal, a certificate, and a cash prize of ₹1 lakh .

Categories include Bravery, Sports, Innovation, Social Service, and Art & Culture. Past recipients in sports include chess prodigy R. Praggnanandhaa and para-athlete Deepa Malik. Sooryavanshi’s inclusion places him in elite company and signals that Indian cricket’s next generation is already making waves at the highest institutional levels.

Balancing National Duty and Cricketing Commitments

Some critics questioned whether a player should miss a competitive fixture for an award ceremony—after all, team comes first in cricket. But this perspective misses the bigger picture.

First, the PMRBP is not just a personal trophy; it’s a national endorsement of Sooryavanshi’s potential. Second, the Bihar team, while competitive, wasn’t in contention for knockout qualification, making the immediate stakes of the Manipur match relatively low.

More importantly, allowing a 14-year-old to accept such an honour in person sends a powerful message to millions of aspiring athletes: excellence is celebrated not just on the field, but by the nation itself.

Is Vaibhav Sooryavanshi the Future of Indian Cricket?

While it’s dangerous to crown teenagers as “the next big thing,” Sooryavanshi’s achievements warrant serious attention. Consider these milestones:

  • Youngest player to score a 150+ knock in men’s List A cricket in India.
  • Only the second 14-year-old to play in the Vijay Hazare Trophy (after Musheer Khan in 2023).
  • Already part of the BCCI’s national age-group development pipeline, with scouts from IPL franchises reportedly monitoring his progress [INTERNAL_LINK:ipl-young-talents-to-watch].

His technique against spin—often a weakness for young power-hitters—is surprisingly refined, and his ability to accelerate from ball one suggests T20 franchise cricket could be his next destination. While he’s years away from an India cap, his trajectory is on a steep, promising incline.

Conclusion: When a Trophy Waits for a Young Legend

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s absence from Bihar’s match wasn’t a loss—it was an investment in India’s cricketing future. By honouring him with the PM Bal Puraskar, the nation has acknowledged that greatness sometimes arrives early, and when it does, we must pause to celebrate it. As Sooryavanshi returns to the pitch, his eyes will be on more centuries—but now, he carries the weight and honour of a country’s recognition on his young shoulders.

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