'Papa, pranaam…': Teenage hero Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s humble moment after historic World Cup win goes viral

After India’s historic win, a heart-warming moment involving teenage star Vaibhav Sooryavanshi quickly went viral online. Holding the trophy, the 14-year-old made a video call to his father and greeted him with a humble, “Papa, pranaam.” His grounded nature, despite such a monumental achievement, won the hearts of cricket fans across India and beyond.

Teenage sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi delivered a batting masterclass as India clinched their sixth ICC Under-19 World Cup title, defeating England by 100 runs in the final on Friday. At just 14 years old, Sooryavanshi smashed a breathtaking 175 off 80 balls, including 15 sixes and 15 fours, powering India to a massive total of 411 for 9. His innings has been widely hailed as one of the greatest performances in age-group cricket history.

Fastest 150 and Highest Final Score in U-19 History

Sooryavanshi’s sensational performance saw him become the fastest batter to reach 150 in Under-19 cricket, achieving the milestone in just 71 deliveries. His 175 also stands as the highest individual score in an ICC U-19 World Cup final, cementing his reputation as a generational talent and one of India’s brightest cricketing prospects.

England Struggle to Chase Massive Total

England faced a daunting target of 412 and showed glimpses of resistance. Caleb Falconer led their fightback with a brilliant 115 off 67 balls, but wickets fell at regular intervals as India’s disciplined bowling attack dominated. England were eventually bowled out for 311 in 40.2 overs, handing India a commanding 100-run victory.

Dedication to Team Support Staff

Sooryavanshi also dedicated his Player of the Final award to the Indian team’s support staff. “I can't express what I am feeling, but the way we have all been working hard for the last 7–8 months and our support staff, who have always made sure we are alright, I would like to dedicate the award to them,” he said.

First Player to Win Both Player of the Final and Tournament Awards

Capping off a dream tournament, Sooryavanshi became the first player in U-19 World Cup history to win both the Player of the Final and Player of the Tournament awards. His extraordinary contribution played a crucial role in India’s record-extending sixth title, making him a name to watch for the future of Indian cricket.

Inputs from TOI