Patna: CM Nitish Kumar on Sunday honoured teenage batting sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi for bringing laurels to Bihar with his outstanding performance in India’s victorious campaign at the ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup 2026. He presented the cricketer with a cheque for Rs 50 lakh and an ‘angavastra’ at a programme held at Sankalp Sabhagar at his official residence, 1, Anne Marg.Congratulating Sooryavanshi, the CM said the young cricketer had played a crucial role in India’s triumph. He described him as a new hope for Indian cricket owing to his hard work and talent. “My best wishes are that Sooryavanshi creates new milestones for the Indian team in the future and brings glory to the country,” the CM said in a statement issued by his office.
“You continue playing good cricket like this and keep bringing glory to the state and country,” Nitish told Sooryavanshi.Sooryavanshi was adjudged player of the match in the final against England for his blistering 175 off 80 balls. He reached his century in just 55 balls, one of the fastest in Under-19 World Cup history, helping India lift the title for the sixth time.The CM also said modern and world-class sports infrastructure was being developed in the state. “The state govt is encouraging players and providing them with all kinds of facilities. You keep moving forward and the govt will continue to provide you with all possible support. It is a matter of joy for all of us that a son of Bihar achieved international stature through his hard work and talent. You are an inspiration for the children of Bihar. We wish you a bright future,” he said.Born on March 27, 2011, in Samastipur district, Sooryavanshi was also named player of the tournament, scoring 439 runs in seven matches at a strike rate of 169.50 and an average of 62.71. The left-handed opener struck the most sixes in the tournament, hitting 30.He also holds the record as the youngest debutant in the IPL at 14 years and 23 days, and the youngest to score a century in the IPL, reaching the landmark in 35 balls against Gujarat Giants. In doing so, he became the fastest Indian to score an IPL hundred, surpassing Yusuf Pathan’s record.Deputy CM Samrat Choudhary, water resources minister Vijay Kumar Chaudhary, sports minister Shreyasi Singh, principal secretary to the CM Deepak Kumar, secretary to the CM Anupam Kumar, sports department secretary Mahendra Kumar, director general of Bihar State Sports Authority Ravindran Shankaran, other senior officials, Sooryavanshi’s father Sanjeev Sooryavanshi, his brothers Ujjwal and Ashirwad Sooryavanshi, and Abhijeet D’Souza were present on the occasion.
