Vaibhav Suryavanshi, 13, Becomes Youngest IPL Signing in History with Rajasthan Royals Deal

Vaibhav Suryavanshi, a young left-handed top-order batter from Bihar, has made history by becoming the youngest player ever to earn an Indian Premier League (IPL) contract.

Rajasthan Royals (RR) secured his services for INR 1.10 crore (approximately US$0.13 million), making the 13-year-old cricket sensation the youngest player to join the IPL ranks.

A Stellar Rise in Indian Cricket

On the day Suryavanshi earned his IPL deal, he was just 13 years and 243 days old. Despite his age, he has already made significant strides in his cricket career.

Suryavanshi represented India Under-19 and made an impressive mark by scoring a century against Australia Under-19 in a four-day game held in Chennai. This performance was particularly remarkable as he scored 104 runs off just 58 balls.

Suryavanshi’s IPL journey began with a base price of INR 30 lakh. The bidding war for the young talent was soon joined by Rajasthan Royals and Delhi Capitals (DC), with Rajasthan ultimately securing the deal.

“He’s been to our high-performance center in Nagpur, and he impressed our coaching setup there,” said Jake Lush McCrum, CEO of Rajasthan Royals. “He’s an incredible talent, and we are excited to have him as part of the franchise,” he added.

A Promising Career Ahead

Suryavanshi hails from Samastipur, a town located about 100 kilometers northeast of Patna. At just 13 years old, he has already featured in five Ranji Trophy matches, marking his first-class debut earlier this year against Mumbai.

Additionally, he is actively participating in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, where he made his T20 debut for Bihar against Rajasthan on November 23, 2024.

Among Suryavanshi’s early achievements is his world-record century against Australia Under-19, making him the youngest player to score a century in youth cricket.

At just 13 years and 187 days, he surpassed the previous record held by Bangladesh’s captain Najmul Hossain Shanto. Suryavanshi also boasts a triple-century, scoring an unbeaten 332 runs in the Randhir Verma Tournament, a prestigious Under-19 competition in Bihar.

Mentors and Support

Suryavanshi credits his father, Sanjeev Suryavanshi, as his main coach. Sanjeev was a cricketer himself but turned to coaching after his playing career did not progress to higher levels.

He began mentoring Vaibhav as soon as his son showed interest in cricket. The young prodigy also seeks guidance from former India opener Wasim Jaffer, whom he met during an Under-19 white-ball tournament in Bangladesh in November 2023.

Controversy Over Age

There has been some controversy surrounding Suryavanshi’s age, with some speculating that he may be 15 instead of 13. However, his father, Sanjeev, has strongly refuted these claims, stating that Vaibhav underwent a BCCI bone test at the age of 8 and a half years, which confirmed his age.

He added, “He has already played for India Under-19, and we don’t fear anyone. If needed, he can undergo another age test.”

IPL Dreams and Support from Rahul Dravid

Rajasthan Royals head coach Rahul Dravid, a cricketing legend in his own right, has expressed his belief that the franchise will provide the right environment for Suryavanshi’s growth.

“I think he’s got some really good skills, and we believe that this will be a good environment for him to develop further. Vaibhav impressed us during our trials, and we are happy to have him,” Dravid said.

Suryavanshi’s Impact and Future Potential

Despite being young, Suryavanshi has already made his mark in the junior cricket circuit. Before making his first-class debut, he scored nearly 400 runs in five matches for Bihar in the Vinoo Mankad Trophy.

However, his journey in first-class cricket has been a work in progress, with a modest batting average of just 10 from five matches. His highest score in first-class cricket so far is 41.

With a meteoric rise in the cricketing world, Suryavanshi is now looking ahead to his IPL career. His remarkable achievements at such a young age have made him one of the most talked-about young talents in Indian cricket.

A Bright Future for the 13-Year-Old

Vaibhav Suryavanshi’s entry into the IPL is a significant milestone in his career. He has already proven himself as a promising young player with exceptional talent, and his future looks incredibly bright.

As he continues to develop his game, Suryavanshi’s presence in the IPL will undoubtedly be a source of inspiration for many young cricketers across the country.