India’s men’s cricket team clinched Asian Games gold, securing their first title in the event, and the 15‑year‑old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi erupted in a grin as the trophy was lifted at Major Dhyan Chand Stadium.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi took the stage to salute the young athletes, spotlighting those aged 15‑17 who had bagged medals across cricket, hockey, boxing and women’s events. He highlighted that India took 85 medals overall, including 38 by women and 11 golds, underscoring the breadth of the nation’s sporting talent.
Modi’s address also served as a rallying cry for early talent scouting, stressing the need to identify and nurture players from age five to fifteen under the Khelo India umbrella. “We’ll be opening thousands of new opportunities for young athletes in the coming years,” he said, tying the nation’s future success to grassroots development.
Sooryavanshi, who sat beside the PM, beamed as the crowd cheered—his smile a quiet testament to the pride that runs through India’s next‑generation sports stars. The victory now propels the team toward the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup, where they’ll look to replicate the gold‑winning momentum.