Explainer
Everyone in World Cricket talks about Vaibab Salivansi, an Indian player who made his stunning IPL debut at just 14 years old.
Shy Vaibab Suryavansi, just 14 years old at Dreamland, is the youngest player in Indian Premier League history, marking the opportunity with a bold first-ball six.
The fearless young left-hander is being promoted as a superstar after opening the batting for the Rajasthan Royals on Saturday, and then opening his instant impact to the Rajasthan Royals after winning 34 balls and two four balls in Jaipur.
He finished on the loser, but in 23 days of 14 years and 23 days he made his debut for Rajasthan after being bought for $130,500 at an auction for 13-year-old players in November.
According to Indian media reports, explosive free-score batsman, spin and Suryavanshi, who can bowl spin, comes from Bihar, India’s poorest country, and his father is a farmer and part-time journalist.
Mature beyond his age
The rise of teenagers was quick. He made his domestic debut at the age of 12 in the Ranji Trophy in January 2024 before being selected for India’s under 19 team against the Australian team on tour. He hit in the 58th ball century. It is the second fastest youth test after England’s Morn Ali in 2005.
But the 2024 IPL players auction war has driven young people into global headlines. Now he finds himself in the cricket elite in the world’s most popular and lucrative T20 tournament, and is praised by former players after his first show.
Former England captain Michael Vaughn tagged the clips of Suryavansi and hit the first ball with six of veteran Indian Sheemer Shardur Thakur, writing to X:
“He’s 14 years old, but he has a 30-year-old heart,” said former Indian batsman Sanjay Manjlekal. “Vaibhav Suryavanshi was confident in his bowlers who have bowled for years.”
Former Indian batsman Suresh Reina said, “He will dominate cricket in the future. Vaibhav Suryavanshi will show he can do it.”
Rajasthan coach and Indian great Rahul Dravid were impressed by the youngsters at the trial before the auction and said Suryavansi had “really good skills”.
His cricket talks
His father, Sanjief, expressed surprise after what happened at the auction.
“I’m speechless… I don’t know what to say. That’s a big deal for our family,” he was quoted as saying from the Indian Express newspaper.
“I felt brave that he would be chosen, but in my wildest dreams I would never have thought there would be a bid war.”
He believes his son is on the right team to realize his potential.
“For many years, the Royals have been grooming young people. Sanju Samson, Yashasvi Jaiswar, Durf Jurel or Liyan Parag are all products from the Rajasthan Royals franchise,” Sanjiev said. “I sincerely hope that Vaibhav will follow the same path.”
Vaibhav’s state coach Pramod Kumar described him as a quiet boy who loves cricket.
“He’s the kind of player who came to Earth to play cricket. He’s nothing else to settle,” Kumar told the Times of India newspaper.
“He rarely talks about it. But asking him about cricket, he can go day and night.”
Born on March 27, 2011, Suryavanshi is the first IPL cricketer born after the start of the 2008 tournament.
Prayas Ray Barman was the youngest IPL player before. He made his debut for the Royal Challengers Bengaluru in 16th in 2019 for 157 days.
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