Vaibhav Suryavanshi: The IPL's youngest sensation

Vaibhav Suryavanshi, a cricket prodigy from Bihar, has become the youngest player ever signed by an IPL team at just 13 years old. In a thrilling auction on Monday, the Rajasthan Royals secured Suryavanshi for Rs 1.10 crore. Starting with a base price of Rs 30 lakh, the bidding war began with Delhi Capitals at Rs 30 lakh and was joined by Rajasthan Royals at Rs 35 lakh, eventually leading to their successful bid.

A Promising Start

Suryavanshi's cricket journey began early, picking up a bat at the tender age of five. By seven, he was training at the Cricket Academy in Samastipur and later honed his skills at the Gen X Cricket Academy in Patna. His exceptional talent saw him scoring an astounding 49 centuries and three double centuries within a year.

Rising Through the Ranks

In 2023, Suryavanshi showcased his prowess by amassing 670 runs in the Hayman Trophy, including three centuries and three half-centuries. His stellar performance continued into the Vinoo Mankad Under-19 tournament, where he scored a record 393 runs for Bihar, catching the eye of the Bihar Cricket Association (BCA).

The Coach's Insights

Coach Brijesh Jha, who has been a pivotal figure in Suryavanshi's development, shared insights into the young cricketer's journey with Local18. Jha revealed that Suryavanshi’s dedication was evident from a young age. He reminisced about the early days when Suryavanshi would practice at Patel ground from 2:30 pm until evening, and later in the morning sessions as he grew older.

Jha noted Suryavanshi’s transformation from a mischievous child to a disciplined and dedicated athlete. He credited Suryavanshi's father, Sanjeev Suryavanshi, for his unwavering support, bringing him to practice daily. Jha expressed immense pride in Suryavanshi's achievements and believes that under the mentorship of Rahul Dravid, Suryavanshi will reach even greater heights in cricket.