Vaibhav Sooryavanshi Swaps World Cup Trophy for Admit Card: Teen Sensation Set for Class 10 Boards
SAMASTIPUR — Less than a week after powering India to a record-extending sixth title at the ICC Under-19 World Cup 2026, batting prodigy Vaibhav Sooryavanshi is transitioning from international glory to academic obligations. The 14-year-old opener, who smashed a match-winning 175 in the final against England, has returned to Bihar to sit for his Class 10 board examinations beginning February 17.
While his on-field exploits in Harare secured his status as the sport’s brightest young prospect, school authorities at Podar International School, Samastipur, confirmed the cricketer will undergo the standard assessment process mandated for secondary education.
Academic Pitch: No Special Treatment for World Cup Winner
Neel Kishore, Principal of Podar International School, addressed the logistical arrangements for the high-profile student. Despite the media frenzy surrounding Sooryavanshi’s return, the school administration emphasized maintaining a disciplined academic environment.
“Cricketer Vaibhav Sooryavanshi will appear for the Class 10th board exams at our school. He has received his admit card,” Kishore told ANI. “There is excitement among everyone, be it teachers, students, or parents. However, we have made arrangements with that in mind, as he is still a student. This is an academic pitch, not a cricket pitch. We will ensure students have no issues taking the exams. All facilities, safety, and security will be the same for all.”
Statistical Breakdown: The Historic U19 World Cup Campaign
Sooryavanshi’s performance in the 2026 tournament redefined expectations for youth cricket. His 175-run knock in the final came off just 80 balls, dismantling the English attack with precision power-hitting. He concluded the tournament as the second-highest run-scorer.
Tournament Statistics (ICC U19 World Cup 2026)
| Metric | Performance Data |
|---|---|
| Total Runs | 439 (7 Matches) |
| Batting Average | 62.71 |
| Strike Rate | 169.49 |
| Highest Score | 175 vs England (Final) |
| Total Sixes | 30 (Tournament Record) |
The 30 sixes hit by Sooryavanshi surpassed the previous record of 18 set by Dewald Brevis in 2022. According to BCCI data tracked across U19 ODIs, Sooryavanshi has now amassed 1,412 runs in 25 innings with a strike rate exceeding 165.
IPL Records and Professional Career Milestones
Sooryavanshi’s academic hiatus follows a breakout year in professional cricket. After securing a INR 1.1 crore contract with the Rajasthan Royals at the IPL 2025 mega auction, he became the league’s youngest debutant and record-holder.
His rapid ascent began in October 2024 with a 58-ball century against Australia U19 in a Youth Test in Chennai. Since then, he has systematically rewritten age-group and senior records across formats:
- Youngest IPL Centurion: Scored a century against Gujarat Titans in the 2025 season.
- Fastest IPL Fifty (Indian): Registered during his debut season.
- Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy: Youngest centurion in tournament history (108 off 61 balls).
- Vijay Hazare Trophy: Youngest List A centurion (190 off 84 balls).
- IPL 2025 Season Stats: 252 runs in 7 innings, Strike Rate 206.55.
While analysts note his high-risk approach occasionally leads to early dismissals, the 14-year-old’s ability to clear the boundary remains his defining trait. For the next few weeks, however, his focus shifts from strike rates to syllabus completion as he joins millions of students for the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) exams.