13-year-old Vaibhav Suryavanshi secures IPL Deal

Vaibhav Suryavanshi has become the youngest player to secure an IPL deal at the age of 13.

The Bihar native was bought by Rajasthan Royals for £103,800 in the auction for the 2025 IPL season.

The batter has represented his state in national championships, such as Ranji and Mushtaq Ali trophies, and India in the under-19 internationals.

Delhi Capitals and Rajasthan Royals both bid for Suryavanshi but Rajasthan, where he had trained previously, were able to secure the teenager.

Suryavanshi, who is in Dubai to play the under-19 Asia Cup, made his Ranji debut at 12 in January 2024 with Bihar, against Mumbai.

In his five Ranji matches, he scored a high score of 41.

But Suryavanshi’s career highlight has been his 58-ball century as an opener in an under-19 unofficial Test against Australia.

This made him the youngest to score a century in youth cricket.

He also made an unbeaten 332 in an under-19 tournament in Bihar.

Rajasthan Royals saw raw potential in the youngster as he impressed their coaching staff during a training session.

After the auction ended, Rajasthan’s CEO Jake Lush McCrum said:

“He’s an incredible talent and, of course, you got to have the confidence so he can step up to the IPL level.”

He said Vaibhav Suryavanshi’s development would need work but “he is a hell of a talent and we’re really excited to have him as part of the franchise”.

Although Indian laws ban child labour below 14, experts say no such guidelines exist for sports, where players under 14 regularly compete in national and international events.

But to play an ICC-organised international match, Suryavanshi may have to wait until he is 15 since that’s the minimum age limit set by cricket’s governing body.

The news of Suryavanshi’s auction and the size of his contract has brought a lot of joy to his family who had to sell their land to finance his cricketing dreams.

His father Sanjiv Suryavanshi said that “he is not just my son now but is Bihar’s son”.

Mr Suryavanshi, a farmer from Bihar who had migrated to Mumbai for work, worked as a bouncer in a nightclub and at a public toilet.

His biggest concern is to ensure that his son remains grounded.

He added: “I will talk to him and make sure that this IPL auction doesn’t go to his head. He still has a long way to go.”