Live Update: Vaibhav Sooryavanshi is the youngest Indian to win gold at the Asian Games. The 15-year-old Indian batsman surpassed marksman Saurabh Chaudhary’s record as the Men in Blue defeated Pakistan by 19 runs in the cricket final of the 2026 Asian Games.
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi is the youngest Indian to win a gold medal at the Asian Games (Source: BCCI) Vaibhav Sooryavanshi became the youngest Indian to win a gold medal at the Asian Games on October 3, 2026 after India defeated Pakistan by 19 runs in the men’s cricket final at Nisshin. The 15-year-old, who represents Rajasthan Royals in the IPL, was 15 years, six months and six days old on the day of the final. Sooryavanshi surpassed shooter Saurabh Chaudhary at the age of 16 years, three months and nine days when he won gold in the men’s 10m air pistol event at the 2018 Asian Games in Jakarta.
Chaudhary continues to hold the record as the youngest Indian to win an individual gold medal at the Asian Games, with Sooryavanshi taking the honor in the team cricket competition. India posted a score of 211/6 in the final, with Sooryavanshi contributing with a 15 from nine balls, including two sixes. Pakistan were then bowled out at 192/6, handing the title to India.
The victory also ensured that India successfully retained the men’s cricket gold they won at the Hangzhou 2023 Asian Games. How did Sooryavanshi perform during the 2026 Asian Games? Sooryavanshi played a bigger role in the semi-final against Sri Lanka, hitting 38 off 21 balls to give India a fast start on a difficult surface.
India then posted a score of 169/7 before bowling out Sri Lanka for 45 runs and winning that game by 124 runs. India’s quarter-final against Afghanistan was canceled and did not count as a completed innings for Sooryavanshi. In his two completed innings of the tournament, the youngster scored 53 runs at a strike rate of 176.66, making a strong impression in his maiden season at the Asian Games.
His total score of 53 across two rounds highlights the attacking intent he displayed at the top of the leaderboard throughout the tournament, particularly in the Round of 16 where conditions were difficult. What record did Sooryavanshi break and what does it mean for Indian sports? Before October 3, 2026, Saurabh Chaudhary became the youngest Indian to win a gold medal at the Asian Games.
Chaudhary achieved this feat in Jakarta in 2018 at 16 years, three months and nine days, a record that had stood for eight years. Sooryavanshi is the youngest Indian gold medalist in Asian Games history in any sport at 15 years, six months and six days. Chaudhary’s record as the youngest individual gold medal winner remains as Sooryavanshi’s medal was won through the team cricket event.
The feat puts Sooryavanshi in rare company at an age when most cricketers are still developing at the domestic level. His performances in the Round of 16 of the 2026 Asian Games, where he prevailed under pressure against Sri Lanka and Pakistan, are a reflection of a player who has already made a name for himself at the highest level available to him.
