Chitkara University welcomed Vihaan Malhotra, a first-year BBA student at Chitkara University and vice-captain of India’s U-19 Cricket World Cup 2026 winning squad, following the team’s victory over England to secure a record sixth ICC U-19 title. The air crackled with dhol drums and cheers as Vihaan Malhotra, Chitkara University's first-year BBA student and vice-captain of India's U-19 Cricket World Cup 2026 winning squad, stepped back onto campus.

Students joined in for celebration to catch a glimpse of the man of the hour. Faculty too joined the frenzy, turning the welcome into a full-blown festival. Dr. Madhu Chitkara, Pro Chancellor, led the honours and presented a Rs. 2 lakh cheque to Vihaan as a token of appreciation for his big feat. At the ceremony, she said, “Vihaan’s achievement is not just a sporting victory, it is a testament to character, discipline, and perseverance. He represents the spirit of young India - fearless, focused, and future-ready. Vihaan has made the nation proud and elevated the university’s name on the global stage. We are immensely proud of him.”

Vihaan who held the team together as the anchor who steadied shaky starts and ignited team huddles, beamed amid the love. Reminiscing about his memories at Chitkara University, Vihaan reflected, “Walking back into campus after the World Cup win feels incredibly special. The support from Chitkara University, from professors, mentors and friends, played a solid part in my reaching where I am today. Balancing academics and cricket isn’t easy, but they’ve always encouraged me to pursue my passion with confidence. I promise to continue striving for excellence and make both my country and Chitkara University proud.”

Nets, Classes, and World Cup Pressure

Vihaan's path was brutal and inspiring. Early-morning net sessions on campus fields, cramming syllabus notes on flights, then facing fan-packed stadiums. In the U-19 World Cup, his gritty knocks turned deficits into dominance, like his semifinal steadying act. He showcased the quality of a worthy leader, a vice-captain who kept morale high during rain delays and do-or-die chases. Even before his victory in the U-19 tournament, he was acquired by the 2025 IPL defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) for the next season of the tournament. IPL is a league that has always brought forward young talent including Virat Kohli who was also a U-19 winning youngster at the time.

Cricket's Rise in India: How Universities like Chitkara University fuel U-19 Stars

India's U-19 teams have become talent factories. Six World Cups say it all. A career in cricket serves as a legit pathway alongside degrees. Parents are on board, hooked by IPL dreams and seeing their child dressed in the iconic blue, making the whole country proud. Chitkara University harnesses this talent with dedicated coaches, flexible timings, even sports scholarships. Talent is noticed and always allowed to shine bright by expert mentorship. They don't just build pitches; they build futures, letting talents like Vihaan juggle without dropping the ball or missing out on a half-volley.

Vihaan's story spotlights the shift. From local trials to global glory, he's living proof that discipline trumps everything. As he prepares for Ranji and the upcoming IPL season, the bar is certainly set high. Chitkara University is not stopping here, its sports programs keep churning leaders who excel everywhere.

About Chitkara University

Chitkara University is a UGC-recognised and NAAC-accredited private university in North India, with campuses in Punjab and Himachal Pradesh, offering career-oriented undergraduate and postgraduate programs in Engineering, Business, Healthcare, Pharmacy, Design, Architecture, Hospitality, and emerging technology fields. For students planning higher education, the University provides industry-aligned programs designed to combine academic excellence with practical exposure.

The curriculum emphasises experiential learning through internships, industry projects, research opportunities, and global collaborations, supported by modern infrastructure, advanced laboratories, industry mentorship, and skill-based training that strengthens student employability. Backed by 2,000+ campus recruiters and 300+ international academic and industry collaborations, students gain strong placement support, international exposure, academic exchange, and collaborative research opportunities.

Consistently ranked among leading institutions by national and global frameworks such as NIRF, QS World University Rankings, and Times Higher Education, the University maintains high academic rigour and industry relevance. With strong corporate partnerships and a focus on innovation, entrepreneurship, and interdisciplinary learning, it prepares students for emerging career opportunities in India and abroad.