Vaibhav Suryavanshi, a 13-year-old cricketer from Bihar, has etched his name in history by becoming the youngest player ever to secure a contract in the Indian Premier League (IPL), the richest cricket tournament globally. In a thrilling auction held in Saudi Arabia, the Rajasthan Royals (RR) acquired him for an impressive 11 million rupees (equivalent to $130,500 or £103,789).
Suryavanshi, a left-handed batter, has already showcased his talent on various platforms, representing his state in prestigious championships such as the Ranji and Mushtaq Ali trophies. He has also played for India in Under-19 internationals. The bidding for Suryavanshi ignited from 3 million rupees, with both Delhi Capitals and RR expressing interest. Ultimately, it was RR that secured the future star, an organization where he had previously trained.
Traditionally, Indian cricket has been centered around urban powerhouses like Mumbai, Delhi, and Bengaluru. However, the IPL's popularity has successfully attracted a broader spectrum of skill from remote villages and small towns, exemplified by Suryavanshi's rise.
Notably, Vaibhav made his Ranji debut at the tender age of 12, playing against Mumbai, which underscores his remarkable skills at such a young age. He has shown promise with a personal best score of 41 in his five Ranji matches, but his standout achievement came when he scored a blistering 58-ball century in an Under-19 unofficial Test against Australia—a record that now makes him the youngest to achieve this feat in youth cricket. Furthermore, he recorded an unbeaten 332 in a Bihar-based Under-19 tournament.
Jake Lush McCrum, CEO of the Rajasthan Royals, praised Suryavanshi's potential after the auction, acknowledging that he has the talent to rise to the challenges of the IPL while recognizing that his development will require careful nurturing.
While Indian law prohibits child labor below the age of 14, no such rules exist in sports, allowing young players to compete on national and international stages. However, due to guidelines from the International Cricket Council (ICC), Suryavanshi will have to wait until he turns 15 to play in an official international match.
The news of Suryavanshi's significant contract has filled his family with pride, particularly as they had previously sold their land to support his cricket ambitions. His father, Sanjiv Suryavanshi—a farmer who has faced numerous hardships, including working as a nightclub bouncer—expressed immense joy at his son's success, describing him as “Bihar's son”. Despite the newfound fame, he emphasized the importance of staying grounded, stating, “I will talk to him and make sure that this IPL auction doesn’t go to his head. He still has a long way to go.”
Suryavanshi, a left-handed batter, has already showcased his talent on various platforms, representing his state in prestigious championships such as the Ranji and Mushtaq Ali trophies. He has also played for India in Under-19 internationals. The bidding for Suryavanshi ignited from 3 million rupees, with both Delhi Capitals and RR expressing interest. Ultimately, it was RR that secured the future star, an organization where he had previously trained.
Traditionally, Indian cricket has been centered around urban powerhouses like Mumbai, Delhi, and Bengaluru. However, the IPL's popularity has successfully attracted a broader spectrum of skill from remote villages and small towns, exemplified by Suryavanshi's rise.
Notably, Vaibhav made his Ranji debut at the tender age of 12, playing against Mumbai, which underscores his remarkable skills at such a young age. He has shown promise with a personal best score of 41 in his five Ranji matches, but his standout achievement came when he scored a blistering 58-ball century in an Under-19 unofficial Test against Australia—a record that now makes him the youngest to achieve this feat in youth cricket. Furthermore, he recorded an unbeaten 332 in a Bihar-based Under-19 tournament.
Jake Lush McCrum, CEO of the Rajasthan Royals, praised Suryavanshi's potential after the auction, acknowledging that he has the talent to rise to the challenges of the IPL while recognizing that his development will require careful nurturing.
While Indian law prohibits child labor below the age of 14, no such rules exist in sports, allowing young players to compete on national and international stages. However, due to guidelines from the International Cricket Council (ICC), Suryavanshi will have to wait until he turns 15 to play in an official international match.
The news of Suryavanshi's significant contract has filled his family with pride, particularly as they had previously sold their land to support his cricket ambitions. His father, Sanjiv Suryavanshi—a farmer who has faced numerous hardships, including working as a nightclub bouncer—expressed immense joy at his son's success, describing him as “Bihar's son”. Despite the newfound fame, he emphasized the importance of staying grounded, stating, “I will talk to him and make sure that this IPL auction doesn’t go to his head. He still has a long way to go.”
