Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, the 14-year-old Bihar cricket prodigy, skips Class 10 CBSE board exams starting February 17 to prioritize IPL 2026 preparation with Rajasthan Royals in Nagpur. Retained for INR 1.1 crore after IPL 2025 heroics and U19 World Cup glory (175 off 80 in final), he eyes opener role with Yashasvi Jaiswal, sparking education-sports debate.
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, the 14-year-old cricket sensation from Bihar, has chosen to skip his Class 10 CBSE board exams starting February 17 to focus entirely on IPL 2026 preparation with Rajasthan Royals. Currently training in Nagpur, the young opener aims to build on his record-breaking feats, including a 35-ball IPL century and a match-winning 175 in the U19 World Cup final.
Background on Vaibhav's Rise
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi burst onto the scene as a prodigy, captivating fans with explosive batting. Enrolled at Modesty School in Tajpur, Bihar, he was set for exams from February 17 to March 11, but his coach Manish Ojha confirmed the decision to prioritize cricket. His father, Sanjeev Sooryavanshi, echoed that exams can wait until next year, underscoring full family support for this bold career move.
IPL 2026 kicks off March 26, and Vaibhav has joined Rajasthan Royals' pre-season camp in Nagpur after sessions in Talegaon. Retained for INR 1.1 crore post his IPL 2025 auction splash, he pairs potentially with Yashasvi Jaiswal as a dynamic opener.
Key Highlights
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Vaibhav Sooryavanshi skips CBSE Class 10 exams for intensive IPL 2026 training in Nagpur with Rajasthan Royals.
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Coach Manish Ojha verifies focus shift, citing ongoing pre-season camp preparations ahead of March 26 tournament start.
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Recent U19 World Cup heroics include 175 off 80 balls in final against England, earning ICC Team of the Tournament honors as opener.
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Bought for Rs 1.1 crore in IPL 2025 auction, retained by Royals signaling high expectations for breakout IPL 2026 season.
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May feature in DY Patil T20 tournament from February 23, honing skills before IPL while forgoing board exams until next year.
Implications for Young Cricketers
This choice sparks debate on balancing education and sports in India, where prodigies like Vaibhav face immense pressure. Experts view it as a calculated risk, given his trajectory toward senior India debut. Rajasthan Royals' investment reflects confidence in his IPL 2026 impact, potentially eyeing T20 World Cup 2026 synergy. Fans celebrate Bihar's pride while wishing luck to peers facing exams.
Sources: Hindustan Times, The CSR Journal, IPL.com, Crex.com