Vaibhav Sooryavanshi only Indian athlete named in TIME’s 100 Rising Stars list

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, a 15-year-old Indian cricket sensation, has been named in TIME magazine's TIME 100 Next list, making him the only Indian athlete on the esteemed roster. TIME CEO Jessica Sibley praised the magazine's selection, stating that Sooryavanshi is fast becoming one of global sport’s most electrifying figures. The Bihar prodigy made his professional cricket debut at the senior level in the Ranji Trophy at the age of just 12, and subsequently joined the Rajasthan Royals for an impressive Rs 1 crore ahead of the IPL 2025 season.

Sooryavanshi's explosive performances in his debut season included a record-breaking 35-ball century against the Gujarat Titans, making it the fastest ton ever struck by an Indian in the IPL. He went on to become the highest run-getter in his second season, scoring 776 runs with a century and five half-centuries, including an astonishing 72 sixes in 16 games.

Sooryavanshi also made his international debut in July against England, becoming the youngest male player to represent India at the T20I level. His impressive performances have not gone unnoticed, as he is part of India's Asian Games cricket team currently in Japan.