Vaibhav Suryavanshi, an uncapped 14-year-old talent born in Bihar, pulled off a massive upset by debuting for the Rajasthan Royals in the IPL. It was a performance that left fans and experts alike scratching their heads. With remarkable finesse and poise, Suryavanshi went on to score 34 runs off only 20 balls, hitting three sixes and two fours. His ability to face the wily and experienced bowlers marks a big step in his young career. It’s equally a proud moment for his family, who stood by him through hard times.
Suryavanshi’s entry into the IPL should have made news for another reason too—he hails from the developing Indian state of Bihar, often considered to be India’s poorest. His father, Sanjeev Suryavanshi, a farmer and part-time journalist who said he was immensely proud of his son’s achievement,
“I am speechless … I don’t know what to say. It’s a massive thing for our family,” – Sanjeev Suryavanshi
A Young Prodigy with Remarkable Skills
Vaibhav Suryavanshi began his journey to the IPL at an impressively young age. He scored his first Ranji Trophy domestic debut with Ranji at the age of only 12 years. Selectors were impressed by his flair from the get-go. As a consequence, he gained selection for India’s under-19 team to play the visiting Australian side. During trials before the IPL auction, renowned cricketer Rahul Dravid noted Suryavanshi’s impressive skills, which contributed to his selection for the Rajasthan Royals.
Cricketing stalwarts such as Sanjay Manjrekar and Michael Vaughan have lauded Suryavanshi’s exceptional talent on the turf. What impressed Manjrekar most about the young player was his extraordinary confidence while taking on bowlers twice his age.
“He is 14 but has the mind of a 30-year-old,” – Sanjay Manjrekar
Vaughan was just as taken, tweeting a short video of Suryavanshi hitting six off his first ball off Shardul Thakur. This not only highlights his talent but suggests he has the potential to thrive in clutch situations.
Bright Future Ahead
Suresh Raina, another cricketing great, had predicted a bright future for Suryavanshi, saying that he will soon dominate cricket. His statement that the young player was “born to play football” only fuels the hype that continues to surround his young career.
“He will rule cricket in the future. Vaibhav Suryavanshi will show what he is capable of,” – Suresh Raina
KP Suryavanshi’s father Sanjiv Suryavanshi reflected over the whirlwind journey which saw his son selected for IPL. He couldn’t believe the excitement created by teams’ interest when they went to auction. For Vaibhav, to be sold at $130,500 at only 13 years old he was indeed sold for an enormous amount.
“I had a gut feeling that he would get picked, but never in my wildest dreams would I have thought that there would be a bidding war,” – Sanjeev Suryavanshi
The Rajasthan Royals have been the most successful at developing young players. The recent emergence of players such as Sanju Samson and Yashasvi Jaiswal through their system is an example of this dedication. Vaibhav Suryavanshi’s first performance was a tough act to follow. As expected, fans can’t wait to see how he continues to help the team and Indian cricket overall in the future.
