Absence of Vaibhav Suryavanshi: Bihar’s Tactical Move in Vijay Hazare vs. Manipur?

Indian teenage cricket prodigy Vaibhav Suryavanshi missed Bihar’s second-round Vijay Hazare Trophy match against Manipur at the JSCA International Stadium in Ranchi for a remarkable occasion. The 14-year-old, who has had a stellar breakout year in both franchise and international cricket wearing the Indian colors, was awarded the Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar by President Droupadi Murmu on Thursday.

At Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi, during the celebration of Veer Bal Diwas, which honors children’s accomplishments, the young left-handed batsman, known for his exceptional talent and fearless hitting, was recognized. With the Rajasthan Royals supporting his growth in the Indian Premier League, he made history by becoming the youngest player to score a century in men’s T20 cricket in just his third match, achieving a stunning 101-run innings off 38 balls — the second-fastest century in IPL history.

A tweet from the Bihar Cricket Association highlighted his journey, stating, “From Bihar’s grounds to Rashtrapati Bhavan, Vaibhav Suryavanshi proves age is just a number. Honored with the PM Rashtriya Bal Puruskar, presented by President Droupadi Murmu. Blessings & wishes in comments.”

Suryavanshi’s exceptional performance continued as he delivered an unbeaten 108 off 61 balls for Bihar against Maharashtra in the SMAT 2025, earning him the record of the youngest centurion in the tournament’s history. In Bihar’s opening Vijay Hazare Trophy match, he impressively scored 190 runs off just 84 balls against Arunachal Pradesh.

Additionally, Google identified him as the most-searched Indian personality on their platform this year. With the upcoming U19 T20 World Cup, where Suryavanshi is part of the Indian squad, Bihar will feel his absence for the rest of the Vijay Hazare Trophy as well.

Published on December 26, 2025.