In a historic move at the IPL 2025 mega auction in Jeddah, Rajasthan Royals signed 13-year-old prodigy Vaibhav Suryavanshi for INR 1.1 crore. Suryavanshi, hailing from Samastipur, Bihar, became the youngest player ever to register and be picked in the IPL, surpassing all expectations. Starting at a base price of INR 30 lakhs, a brief bidding war with Delhi Capitals ended with Rajasthan securing the left-handed batter.
A Legacy of Investing in Youth
Rajasthan Royals have long been known for nurturing young talent. From giving Ravindra Jadeja his IPL debut at 19 under Shane Warne in 2008 to introducing Sanju Samson at 18 under Rahul Dravid in 2013, the Royals have built a reputation for spotting and supporting future stars. Samson now holds the record for being the franchise’s most-capped player and top run-scorer.The tradition continues with Suryavanshi, who will now develop under Royals’ Head Coach Rahul Dravid, a stalwart in shaping young cricketers both for the Royals and India’s junior sides.
Record-Breaking Beginnings
Suryavanshi first made headlines last month with a blistering 104 off 62 balls in a youth Test against Australia U-19. At just 13 years and 188 days, he became the youngest player to score a century in youth cricket, smashing the previous record held by Bangladesh’s Najmul Hossain Shanto. His aggressive style was evident in the knock, with his century coming off just 58 balls—the second-fastest in youth Test history.
Earlier this year, he etched his name in the Ranji Trophy history books as the youngest debutant at 12 years and 284 days, breaking records previously held by Indian legends Sachin Tendulkar and Yuvraj Singh. In just five Ranji matches, Suryavanshi showcased remarkable composure, earning him a spot in Bihar’s Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy squad, where he made his T20 debut against Rajasthan.
Bright Future Ahead
Vaibhav Suryavanshi’s meteoric rise is a testament to his immense talent and potential. With Rajasthan Royals’ support and a coach like Rahul Dravid guiding him, the young batter is poised for a promising cricketing career. As the cricketing world watches in awe, Suryavanshi’s journey is a reminder of the power of raw talent and the opportunities that nurture it.
Unique Trivia About Suryavanshi’s Era
The year Vaibhav Suryavanshi was born (2011), the Chennai Super Kings clinched their second IPL title, defeating Royal Challengers Bangalore.
Interestingly, Suryavanshi shares his birth year with the now-iconic “Chris Gayle Storm” in IPL, as the West Indian legend scored his first IPL century in 2011.
The 2011 season also marked Rajasthan Royals’ lowest IPL points tally, a reminder of how far they’ve come in rebuilding their squad.
Vaibhav Suryavanshi was just 6 days old when MS Dhoni hit the iconic six over long-on, securing India’s 2011 World Cup victory.
