Who is 14-year-old Cricket Sensation Vaibhav Suryavanshi?

At just 14 years old, Vaibhav Suryavanshi has taken the cricketing world by storm, becoming the youngest player ever to be picked in the IPL.

His selection by Rajasthan Royals for £100,000 in the 2024 IPL auction marked a historic moment, not just for his family but for Indian cricket as a whole.

The left-handed batting prodigy from Tajpur, Bihar, has already broken multiple records, proving his immense potential on the domestic circuit.

Vaibhav made even more history when he scored the second-fastest century in Indian Premier League (IPL) history.

The 14-year-old struck a blistering 101 off 38 balls against Gujarat Titans in Jaipur, reaching his hundred in just 35 deliveries.

The teenager also set a world record for being the youngest male cricketer to score a century in T20 cricket.

Vaibhav Suryavanshi’s rise has been fuelled by years of dedication, rigorous training, and unwavering support from his father, Sanjeev Suryavanshi.

From practising on dusty village pitches to sharing a dressing room with international stars, his journey reflects perseverance, talent, and the power of dreams.

Early Life

Born on March 27, 2011, in Tajpur, a village in Bihar’s Samastipur district, Vaibhav’s cricketing journey began under the watchful eyes of his father, Sanjeev Suryavanshi.

Recognising his son’s passion for the game at an early age, Sanjeev enrolled Vaibhav in a cricket academy in Samastipur when he was just six years old.

Balancing his roles as a mentor and provider, Sanjeev invested time and resources into nurturing Vaibhav’s burgeoning talent.

He sold off farmland and a shop to support his son’s dream. He built a net area for his son to practice and paid unemployed youngsters to throw the ball at him. Sometimes up to 450 balls a day.

Vaibhav’s coach Manish Ojha explained: “Vaibhav kept on getting fame in Bihar, but his parents have played a huge role.

“His mother woke up early at 4 am and prepared food for Vaibhav. His father accompanied him to training and matches.

“We did contribute as coaches, but his parents are the driving forces.

“Vaibhav and his father had long ago made up their minds that the kid will play cricket. The father wanted to play cricket, but he couldn’t. So, he tried to live his dream through his son.”

Domestic Career

Vaibhav Suryavanshi’s dedication bore fruit early.

At the age of 12, he debuted for Bihar in the Ranji Trophy during the 2024 season, becoming the second youngest player to do so for the state and the fourth youngest overall in the tournament’s storied history.

His performances in youth cricket were equally impressive; he amassed 400 runs in five matches during the Vinoo Mankad Trophy, showcasing his prowess as a left-handed batsman.

In a four-day match against Australia Under-19s in Chennai, Vaibhav smashed a 58-ball century, the fastest by an Indian in youth Tests, before being run out for 104.

This innings was the second-fastest century in under-19 international cricket.

IPL Auction

November 25, 2024, marked a historic day for Vaibhav Suryavanshi and his family.

During the Indian Premier League (IPL) auction held in Saudi Arabia, a bidding war ensued for the young prodigy.

Delhi Capitals initiated the bids, but it was Rajasthan Royals who secured his services for £100,000, making Vaibhav the youngest player ever picked for the IPL.

His father, Sanjeev, was overwhelmed with emotion, stating:

“I just wanted my son to be selected. For how much, that question never occurred to me.”

Training and Mentorship

Under the mentorship of Rajasthan Royals’ head coach Rahul Dravid, Vaibhav is poised for further growth.

Dravid expressed his enthusiasm:

“He [Vaibhav] has some really good skills, so we thought it might be a good environment for him to grow in.”

“He came to our trials and we were really happy with what we saw.”

Vaibhav is sharing the dressing room with the likes of Jofra Archer and Yashasvi Jaiswal.

Making History

On April 28, 2025, Vaibhav Suryavanshi made history when he struck a blistering 101 off 38 balls against Gujarat Titans in Jaipur, reaching his hundred in just 35 deliveries.

Only West Indies legend Chris Gayle, who made a 100 in 30 balls, has ever scored a faster IPL century.

Vaibhav also set a world record for being the youngest male cricketer to score a century in T20 cricket.

Rajasthan Royals batting coach Vikram Rathore said:

“To do it in front of this kind of crowd and in a situation like this against a really, really good bowling attack, I think it was really special and a lot of credit to him.

“He has a solid head on his shoulders. Today was an extraordinary innings.”

Vaibhav Suryavanshi’s historic innings have catapulted him into the spotlight.

There is now talk of him becoming one of the most expensive players in the next IPL auction.

Various companies, including toy firms, will reportedly be after him for sponsorships.

However, efforts are being made not to pile too much pressure on the young star, as Rathore added:

“It’s too early to say that and it’s unfair I think on the kid to compare him to Sachin Tendulkar.

“As I said, he’s a new Vaibhav Suryavanshi. He’s a special kid and he’s a special talent. If he keeps working hard, he’ll have a special place in Indian cricket I’m sure.”