EXPLAINER
Everybody in world cricket is speaking about Vaibhav Suryavanshi, the Indian participant who made a stunning IPL debut at simply 14.
Shy schoolboy Vaibhav Suryavanshi is in dreamland at simply 14, turning into the youngest participant in Indian Premier League historical past and marking the event with an audacious first-ball six.
The fearless younger left-hander is being touted as a famous person within the making after his immediate impression opening the batting for Rajasthan Royals on Saturday, when he scored 34 off 20 balls in Jaipur with three sixes and two fours.
He completed on the dropping aspect however stole the limelight as, at 14 years and 23 days, he made his debut for Rajasthan after being purchased for $130,500 in November’s public sale of gamers on the age of solely 13.
An explosive free-scoring batsman, who may bowl spin, Suryavanshi comes from India’s poorest state, Bihar, and his father is a farmer and part-time journalist, in keeping with Indian media experiences.
Mature past his years
{The teenager}’s rise has been swift. He made his home debut aged 12 within the Ranji Trophy in January 2024 earlier than being chosen for India’s under-19 squad towards a touring Australia staff. He hit a 58-ball century – the second quickest in youth Checks after England’s Moeen Ali in 2005.
Nevertheless it was the bidding battle on the IPL participant public sale in 2024 that catapulted the teen into world headlines. Now he finds himself among the many cricketing elite on the planet’s hottest and profitable T20 event and has been lauded by former gamers after his first present.
Former England captain Michael Vaughan tagged a clip of Suryavanshi hitting his first ball for six off seasoned India seamer Shardul Thakur and wrote on X: “That is unbelievable.”
“He’s 14 however has the thoughts of a 30-year-old,” former India batsman Sanjay Manjrekar stated. “Vaibhav Suryavanshi appeared assured towards bowlers who’ve been bowling for years.”
Former India batsman Suresh Raina stated, “He’ll rule cricket sooner or later. Vaibhav Suryavanshi will present what he’s able to.”
Rajasthan coach and India nice Rahul Dravid was impressed by the teen in trials earlier than the public sale, saying Suryavanshi had “some actually good abilities”.
His cricket does the speaking
His father, Sanjeev, expressed astonishment after what occurred within the public sale.
“I’m speechless … I don’t know what to say. It’s an enormous factor for our household,” he was quoted as saying by The Indian Specific newspaper.
“I had a intestine feeling that he would get picked, however by no means in my wildest desires would I’ve thought that there could be a bidding battle.”
He believes his son is in the correct staff to understand his potential.
“Through the years, Royals have groomed the children. Be it Sanju Samson, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Dhruv Jurel or Riyan Parag, all are merchandise of the Rajasthan Royals franchise,” stated Sanjeev. “I sincerely hope that Vaibhav may also observe the identical path.”
Vaibhav’s state coach, Pramod Kumar, described him as a quiet boy who loves his cricket.
“He’s the type of participant who has come on Earth to play cricket; he settles for nothing else,” Kumar advised The Occasions of India newspaper.
“He hardly talks. However ask him about cricket and he can go on day and evening.”
Born on March 27, 2011, Suryavanshi is the primary IPL cricketer born after the event’s inception in 2008.
Prayas Ray Barman was the earlier youngest IPL participant. He was 16 years and 157 days in 2019 when he made his debut for Royal Challengers Bengaluru.
