Which Indian Australian mathematician received the Fields Medal, often called the Nobel Prize of mathematics, for outstanding contributions to number theory and related fields?

Introduction / Context:
This question checks awareness about major international awards in mathematics and Indian origin scientists who have achieved global recognition. The Fields Medal is one of the highest honours in mathematics and is sometimes informally called the Nobel Prize for mathematics. The question asks for the name of the Indian Australian mathematician who received this prize.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The award is the Fields Medal, a very prestigious international mathematics prize.
• The recipient has roots in India and is associated with Australia.
• The options include names that are mainly from different professions, such as sports and possibly less known individuals.
• We assume that the candidate knows at least one famous Indian origin Fields Medalist from recent years.

Concept / Approach:
To answer, the candidate must connect the Fields Medal with the correct mathematician. Akshay Venkatesh is a widely publicised example of an Indian origin mathematician who settled in Australia and later worked in other countries. When he received the Fields Medal, it was widely reported in Indian and international media. The other options are either from sports or are not known as top level mathematicians.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall that the Fields Medal is given every four years to a small number of outstanding mathematicians under the age of forty. Step 2: Remember that an Indian Australian mathematician named Akshay Venkatesh was one of the winners of the Fields Medal in the late 2010s. Step 3: Recognise that Manoj Prabhakar is actually a former Indian cricketer, not a mathematician. Step 4: Note that N. K. Surana is not widely associated in news as a Fields Medal winning mathematician. Step 5: Match the name Akshay Venkatesh with the description given in the question and select that option.

Verification / Alternative check:
As an additional check, think about how media describes Akshay Venkatesh. He is often introduced as an Indian Australian mathematician who did remarkable work in number theory, automorphic forms and representation theory. The reference to the Fields Medal being like the Nobel Prize in mathematics is also frequently mentioned whenever he is discussed. No such connection exists in public knowledge for the other options.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Manoj Prabhakar is a former Indian cricketer and has no link with the Fields Medal. N. K. Surana is not popularly known worldwide as a Fields Medal winner. None of the above is incorrect because Akshay Venkatesh clearly matches the description and is one of the listed options. Rahul Dravid is another well known cricketer, not a mathematician, and therefore cannot be the correct answer to a question about a mathematics prize.

Common Pitfalls:
Some candidates may misread the question and focus only on the word Indian, ignoring the Australian link and the field of mathematics. Others may be tempted by None of the above if they cannot immediately recall the name. It is important to read the entire stem, recognise that the question clearly refers to a mathematician, and use basic recall of famous Indian origin scientists and mathematicians.

Final Answer:
The Indian Australian mathematician who received the Fields Medal is Akshay Venkatesh.