From Cricket Pitch to Exam Hall: Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's Latest Challenge
Young Indian cricket star Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, who recently led the nation to a historic sixth title at the ICC Under-19 World Cup 2026 with an incredible 175 runs in the final, is now preparing for a different kind of challenge. The batting prodigy is temporarily stepping away from the cricket spotlight to focus on his Class 10 board examinations, showcasing a remarkable balance between his sporting career and academic pursuits.
No Special Treatment for Young Cricket Star
Neel Kishore, the principal of Podar International School in Samastipur, Bihar, confirmed that the 14-year-old talent has received his admit card and will soon be taking his exams. Despite his widespread fame and recent achievements, Kishore emphasized that Vaibhav will not receive any special treatment during the examination period.
"Cricketer Vaibhav Sooryavanshi is set to appear for his Class 10 board exams at our school," Neel Kishore told ANI. "There's a lot of excitement among everyone – teachers, students, and parents – about his arrival. However, we have made all necessary arrangements, keeping in mind that he is first and foremost a student appearing for an examination. This is an academic setting, not a cricket field. We will ensure a smooth experience for all students, with consistent facilities, safety, and security measures for everyone. Exams are scheduled to begin on February 17."
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's Record-Breaking U19 World Cup Performance
Sooryavanshi delivered his finest performance in the U19 World Cup final against England in Harare. He smashed an astonishing 175 runs off just 80 balls, a knock that included 15 fours and a record-breaking 15 sixes – the most maximums ever hit in a single U19 World Cup innings.
His exceptional form continued throughout the tournament, where he emerged as the second-highest run-scorer. Here's a quick look at his impressive statistics:
- Total Runs: 439 runs in 7 matches
- Batting Average: 62.71
- Strike Rate: 169.49
- Centuries: 1
- Half-Centuries: 3
Vaibhav also set a new standard for power-hitting in the tournament, blasting a record 30 sixes. This achievement surpassed Dewald Brevis's previous record of 18 sixes from the 2022 edition, making Sooryavanshi the player with the most sixes in U19 World Cup history.
A Meteoric Rise in Cricket
Overall, in U19 One-Day Internationals (ODIs), Sooryavanshi is India’s leading run-scorer. His career highlights in this format include:
- Total Runs: 1,412 runs in 25 innings
- Average: 56.48
- Strike Rate: Over 165
- Centuries: 4
- Half-Centuries: 7
- Highest Score: 175
IPL Stardom and Other Milestones
His incredible journey began in October 2024 when he scored a century off just 58 balls against Australia U19 in Chennai, marking the fastest century by an Indian batter in Youth Tests. Soon after, he made headlines at the IPL 2025 mega auction, where he secured a significant deal worth Rs 1.1 crore with Rajasthan Royals, becoming the youngest player ever in IPL history.
During an IPL clash against Gujarat Titans, the 14-year-old continued to break records, becoming the youngest T20 centurion and the first Indian to achieve the fastest IPL fifty. He announced his arrival with a six on his very first ball in the league and concluded the season with 252 runs in seven innings, boasting an average of 36.00 and an astounding strike rate of 206.55, including one century and one fifty.
Vaibhav's impressive performances have spanned across various formats:
- A 52-ball century, making him the youngest and fastest U19 centurion.
- A 61-ball 108 in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, establishing him as the youngest centurion in that tournament’s history.
- An 84-ball 190 in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, where he became the youngest List A centurion and the second-fastest Indian to reach this milestone.
While his aggressive, high-risk style of play can sometimes lead to less successful outings, it is truly spectacular when it pays off, sending the ball soaring across the stadium and cementing his status as a rising force in every format of the game.
