Prime Minister Narendra Modi couldn’t stop talking about India’s young athletes when he spoke at the Sansad Khel Mahotsav on Thursday. What really got him going was how these new generation of cricketers who are breaking records at insanely young ages.
PM Modi Praises Vaibhav Suryanvanshi
PM Modi Praises Vaibhav Suryanvanshi: Modi was talking about how Indian sports has cleaned up its act when he brought up something pretty wild. Kids who are just 14 and 15 years old are now blasting centuries in 36 balls. Everyone watching knew he meant Vaibhav Suryavanshi from Bihar because the kid had just done that the previous day.
What Vaibhav pulled off on Wednesday at Ranchi was just crazy. He was playing for Bihar against Arunachal Pradesh in the Vijay Hazare Trophy and smashed a hundred in 36 balls. Then he just kept swinging. By the time he got out he had made 190 runs off 84 balls. That included 16 fours and 15 massive sixes.
At 14 years and 272 days old Vaibhav became the youngest player ever to score a century in men’s List A cricket. What made it even more special was his 150 that came in just 59 balls. That broke AB de Villiers’ record of 64 balls for the fastest 150 in List A cricket.
The Prime Minister used Vaibhav’s achievement as an example while speaking to athletes at the closing ceremony in Junagadh. His point was clear. Today’s sports system in India rewards pure skill and talent instead of connections. Even kids from really poor families can now reach the top if they have the ability.
PM also asked MPs to spot talented athletes in their areas who could represent India at major events like the Olympics and give them all the support they need.
Vaibhav has had one hell of a year. Just a few weeks back in December he scored the fastest century ever by someone his age in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. Now people are saying he’ll probably be picked for India’s Under 19 World Cup squad that’s heading to Zimbabwe and Namibia in January 2026.
The three day Sansad Khel Mahotsav ended on December 25. It has become a major platform for finding sporting talent from across India. Modi described it as more than just a sports event but a movement that builds discipline and teamwork among young Indians.