JOHANNESBURG – A 13-year-old cricketer from India’s Bihar state, Vaibhav Suryavanshi, is making waves in the cricketing world and could become the next big name in Twenty20 cricket. The Rajasthan Royals secured his services for $130,000 (approximately R2.4 million) during the Indian Premier League (IPL) mega auction, making him the youngest player ever to be selected in the league’s history.
Suryavanshi grabbed attention last month with a blistering century against Australia’s under-19 team. He smashed 104 runs off just 58 balls before being dismissed, a performance that cemented his place as one of cricket’s rising stars.
At just 13 years and 187 days, Suryavanshi shattered the record previously held by Bangladesh’s current Test captain, Najmul Hossain Shanto, who scored a youth-level century at 14 years and 241 days. The bidding war for Suryavanshi started at his base price of $35,500 (approximately R650,000), with the Delhi Capitals also showing interest in acquiring him.
Rajasthan Royals’ Confidence in the Youngster
Rajasthan Royals CEO Jake Lush McCrum spoke highly of Suryavanshi after the auction. “He’s been to our high-performance centre in Nagpur, had trials there, and really impressed our coaching team. He’s an incredible talent, and we have confidence he can step up to IPL level,” McCrum said.
Describing him as “a hell of a talent,” McCrum revealed that the franchise’s coaching panel, which includes former Indian captain Rahul Dravid, plans to invest heavily in Suryavanshi’s development before the IPL begins on March 14.
Suryavanshi idolizes West Indian legend Brian Lara and has received guidance from former Indian cricketer Wasim Jaffer, whom he met during an under-19 tournament in Bangladesh.
A Proud Journey for Bihar
Suryavanshi’s father, Sanjiv, who is also his coach, expressed immense pride in his son’s achievement. “He is not just my son now; he’s the son of all of Bihar,” he told the Press Trust of India. “My son has worked hard to get here.”
Suryavanshi’s journey has been one of perseverance and exceptional talent. He began training under his father at an early age and quickly rose through the ranks to become a prodigy.
Cricket’s Rules on Age
Although the IPL has no formal minimum age requirement, the International Cricket Council (ICC) has set 15 as the minimum age for international players. However, cricket boards can request special permission for younger players to compete, as seen with Suryavanshi’s selection.
The previous youngest IPL recruit, Prayas Ray Barman, was 16 when Royal Challengers Bangalore signed him for $200,000 (around R3.6 million) in 2019. Unfortunately, Barman’s career failed to take off, as he played just one match before fading from the spotlight.
On the international stage, Pakistan’s Hasan Raza holds the record as the youngest cricketer to make his Test debut, appearing at just 14 years and 227 days in 1996.
The Road Ahead
With the IPL set to begin in March, all eyes will be on Suryavanshi to see if he can meet the high expectations placed on him. For South African cricket fans, his story is a reminder of the potential within young players and the transformative opportunities provided by platforms like the IPL. Whether Suryavanshi becomes the next great cricketing sensation or not, his journey so far is already inspiring.
