Patna: A remarkable milestone has been achieved in the Indian Premier League (IPL) with the inclusion of a player younger than the tournament itself. Thirteen-year-old Vaibhav Suryavanshi from Bihar has been bought by Rajasthan Royals, setting a new record on the Day 2 of the IPL auction in Abu Dhabi. Hailing from Tajpur in Samastipur district, Vaibhav has been bought for ₹1.10 crore, far surpassing his base price of ₹30 lakhs.
The IPL auction witnessed intense competition for Vaibhav, with Delhi Capitals initiating the bidding. The Capitals persisted until ₹1 crore but were ultimately outbid by Rajasthan Royals. Vaibhav’s inclusion marks his first appearance in the prestigious league and signals the emergence of a new cricketing prodigy.
A Rising Star from Samastipur
Vaibhav Suryavanshi was born on 27 March 2011 to parents Sanjeev and Aarti in Tajpur, Samastipur. A left-handed batsman known for his explosive batting style, he has consistently delivered exceptional performances. His breakthrough came last year when he represented Bihar in the Vinoo Mankad Under-19 One-Day Cricket Tournament. Scoring 392 runs in just five innings, including a century and three half-centuries, Vaibhav secured a place in the Challenger Trophy.
Representing India in Under-19 Competitions
In 2023, Vaibhav was selected for the India B team, participating in a quadrangular series against the Under-19 teams of England, Bangladesh, and India A. He delivered standout performances with scores of 53 and 75 runs against England and Bangladesh, respectively. However, a subsequent dip in form saw him miss out on selection for the Under-19 World Cup held in South Africa earlier this year.
Record-Breaking Century in Youth Test
Vaibhav’s meteoric rise continued in the Under-19 Youth Test series against Australia. Opening the innings, he smashed a century off just 58 balls, setting a new record for the fastest Youth Test century by an Indian. At 13 years and 188 days, Vaibhav became the youngest to achieve this feat for India, narrowly missing Moeen Ali’s world record by two deliveries. He also surpassed Bangladesh’s Nazmul Hasan Shanto, who had scored a Youth Test century at the age of 14.
Youngest Ranji Trophy Debutant for Bihar
In January 2024, Vaibhav made his first-class debut in the Ranji Trophy, representing Bihar against Mumbai in Patna. At just 12 years and 284 days, he became India’s youngest first-class debutant since 1986 and the second youngest to play for Bihar’s Ranji team. This historic debut brought Vaibhav widespread recognition in the cricketing world.
Preparing for the Under-19 Asia Cup
Vaibhav is also set to represent India in the Under-19 Asia Cup, scheduled to take place in the UAE from 29 November. His selection for the tournament further underscores his potential as a future star. Inspired by his idol, West Indies legend Brian Lara, Vaibhav dreams of achieving greatness on the international stage.
The cricketing fraternity eagerly awaits Vaibhav Suryavanshi’s IPL debut. With his record-breaking feats and undeniable talent, this young prodigy from Bihar is poised to become a significant figure in Indian cricket’s future.
