Vaibhav Suryavanshi became the youngest cricketer to play in the IPL when he debuted against LSG at just 14 years and 23 days.
The dream IPL debut of Vaibhav Suryavanshi against Lucknow Super Giants yesterday (April 19) where he played a 20-ball cameo of 34 runs and slammed a huge six off the first ball he faced has made him an almost instant superstar with netizens, and present and former cricketers praising the young cricketer, who at 14 years and 23 days, became the youngest cricketer to play in the cash-rich tournament.
Despite finishing on the losing side after Rajasthan Royals fell agonisingly short of the target by just two runs, the 14-year-old left-hander became the latest poster boy of Indian cricket following his impressive debut.
While former England captain Michael Vaughan termed him and his dream debut “incredible”, former India cricketer Suresh Raina said “he will rule cricket in the future”.
“He is 14 but has the mind of a 30-year-old,” cricketer-turned-commentator Sanjay Manjrekar said.
Bihar Cricket Association (BCA) president Rakesh Tiwari also heaped praises on Suryavanshi saying that this is just the beginning and that he has the potential to become one of the biggest names in Indian cricket in the years to come.
Google CEO Sundar Pichai was left awestruck by the 14-year-old IPL debutant.
“Woke up to watch an 8th grader play in the IPL!! What a debut,” Pichai wrote on social media.
Vaibhav Suryavanshi had made it to global news headlines after he at 13 was bought by Rajasthan Royals for Rs 1.1 crore in last year’s auctions.
His stroke-making abilities had also become the talking point in cricketing circles and it was hoped that he would make a mark in the IPL once he is given a chance by the Rajasthan team management.
His 20-ball innings, and the towering six he hit on the first ball of his IPL career, seemed to have cemented the high hopes many people, who have seen him develop as a cricketer, have of the young lad making a name for himself in the days, months and years to come.
His 34-run debut innings included three towering sixes and he stitched an 85-run opening partnership with Yashasvi Jaiswal.
While some saw in him qualities similar to Yuvraj Singh, others likened him to Sachin Tendulkar considering the very young age at which he has displayed such raw talent.
Meanwhile, an old video of Suryavanshi practicing at his terrace during the heights of the COVID-19 pandemic has also gone viral as netizens claimed the hard work which he had put in has paid off.
“Hard work pays off,” an internet user wrote.
WHO IS VAIBHAV SURYAVANSHI?
Early Life and Cricketing Journey
Born in 2011, Suryavanshi made his first-class debut for Bihar in the Ranji Trophy at just 12 years and 284 days, making him one of the youngest players in the tournament’s history.
At 13 years, he scored a 58-ball century in an Under-19 Test match against Australia, marking the fastest hundred by an Indian in youth Tests and the second-fastest overall.
His rapid rise through the ranks continued when he became the youngest player to debut in T20 cricket at 13 years and 241 days and the youngest Indian to play List A cricket at 13 years and 269 days during the Vijay Hazare Trophy.
IPL Breakthrough
In the 2025 IPL auction, Suryavanshi was signed by Rajasthan Royals for Rs 1.1 crore as he become the youngest-ever pick in a mega IPL auction.
Personal Life, Family & Controversies
Suryavanshi hails from a humble background in Bihar. His father, Sanjiv Suryavanshi, a farmer and part-time journalist reportedly sold land to support his son’s cricketing ambitions.
Despite his young age, there have been discussions and skepticism regarding his exact age, a common issue in youth sports. However, his family maintains that his age has been verified through medical tests.
