In a landmark moment for Indian cricket, 13-year-old Vaibhav Suryavanshi from Bihar has been signed by Rajasthan Royals for ₹1.1 crore during the Indian Premier League (IPL) mega auction held in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. This makes Vaibhav the youngest player ever to secure an IPL contract, breaking the previous record held by Afghanistan’s Allah Ghazanfar.
Vaibhav, who hails from Samastipur, is already a sensation in cricketing circles. Known for his exceptional batting skills, he recently made history by becoming the youngest batter to score an international century, achieving the feat at 13 years and 288 days during a Youth Test against Australia U-19. He smashed 104 off 62 balls, breaking Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto’s longstanding record.
The bidding war for Vaibhav in the auction saw fierce competition between Rajasthan Royals and Delhi Capitals, with Rajasthan emerging victorious. Coached by cricket legend Rahul Dravid, the Royals are placing significant faith in the young batter’s potential.
Rajasthan Royals’ batting coach Vikram Rathour, impressed by Vaibhav during trials, noted his ability to handle high-pressure situations, including scoring 17 runs in a simulated over.
Speaking about the achievement, Vaibhav’s father, Sanjiv Suryavanshi, expressed pride and gratitude while addressing past controversies surrounding his son’s age. “When he was 8 and a half years old, he first appeared for a BCCI bone test. He has already played for India U-19. We don’t fear anyone. He can undergo age tests again,” Sanjiv told PTI.
Sanjiv’s dedication to his son’s cricketing career is evident. A farmer from Motipur village near Samastipur, he revealed that he sold part of his land to fund Vaibhav’s coaching and cricketing needs. “Not just investment, it’s a big investment. We even sold our land. The situation has not fully stabilized yet,” he said.
Vaibhav has already made an impact at the domestic level, playing five Ranji Trophy matches since his first-class debut earlier this year and recently appearing in a T20 game. His journey to the IPL is a testament to his hard work and raw talent.
Currently in Dubai for the U19 Asia Cup, Vaibhav is gearing up for India’s opening match against Pakistan on November 30. With his meteoric rise, Vaibhav Suryavanshi is not just a prodigy from Bihar but a shining hope for Indian cricket’s future.
