Arshdeep Singh appeared to tease Vaibhav Sooryavanshi when Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised India’s youngest sporting talents during an event in New Delhi on Thursday. The light-hearted moment caught attention online, with the 15-year-old cricketer responding with a broad smile. The video has since gone viral on social media.
Addressing India’s Asian Games contingent, PM Narendra Modi highlighted the achievements of athletes aged between 15 and 17, pointing out that age should never be considered a barrier to success. “This time in the Asian Games, there were many players on Team India whose age was only 15 to 17 years,” Modi said.
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“At such a young age, these players have enhanced the pride of the country with their spectacular performances. They have won the hearts of the countrymen. This shows that for success, age is not a restriction. In sports, it is the start made at a young age that becomes an added advantage.”
Sooryavanshi, who became the youngest Indian to win an Asian Games gold medal, was among the young athletes whose achievements drew attention. Arshdeep’s playful interaction with the teenager added a lighter moment to the occasion. India finished the 2026 Asian Games in Japan with 85 medals, including 21 gold. Athletes making their debut at the Games contributed 41 medals, while women athletes won 38 medals, including 11 gold.
🔴VAIBHAV SURYAVANSHI REACTION WHEN PM MODI PRAISED HIM 😅
– The entire Team India started teasing Vaibhav after PM Modi praised him. 😭 https://t.co/qUj7jT8o5p
— Sam (@cricsam02) October 15, 2026
Before his address, PM Narendra Modi met the medal-winning athletes and congratulated them on their performances. He praised India’s men’s and women’s cricket teams, hockey teams and archers, with particular recognition for the women’s hockey team’s gold medal, which ended a 44-year wait.
The event was attended by members of both gold-winning cricket teams, along with sports officials, ICC chairman Jay Shah, Indian Olympic Association president P. T. Usha and Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya. Athletes also presented PM Narendra Modi with memorabilia representing their respective sports.
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Modi further emphasised the government’s support for Indian athletes through financial assistance, international coaching opportunities and talent-identification programmes. He encouraged medal-winners to mentor aspiring sportspersons and visit schools to inspire children to take up sports. The viral Arshdeep Singh–Vaibhav Sooryavanshi moment offered a glimpse of the camaraderie among Indian athletes, while the event celebrated the country’s achievements and the growing role of young talent in Indian sports.
