Vaibhav Suryavanshi created history by making his debut for Rajasthan Royals, becoming the youngest-ever player to debut in the IPL.
14-Year-Old Vaibhav Suryavanshi Shines on IPL Debut for Rajasthan Royals
When Rajasthan Royals faced Lucknow Super Giants on April 19, the spotlight unexpectedly fell on 14-year-old Vaibhav Suryavanshi, who made history as the youngest-ever IPL debutant. Coming in as a batting Impact Player during RR’s run-chase of 181, the teen sensation left a lasting impression with a quick-fire 34 off just 20 balls. His fearless knock included two boundaries and three towering sixes, striking at a rate of 170.00.
Though RR fell short by a narrow margin of two runs, Suryavanshi’s cameo was one of the biggest talking points of the game. He was brought in as an opener, filling the shoes of injured skipper Sanju Samson, and is expected to retain his place in RR’s upcoming clash against Royal Challengers Bengaluru. Despite the loss, the Royals may have found a future star in Suryavanshi.
‘This child has faced challenges since childhood’: Childhood coach on Vaibhav Suryavanshi
Speaking to OneIndia Hindi, Vaibhav Suryavanshi’s childhood coach Brajesh Jha opened up about the 14-year-old Rajasthan Royals star’s journey to the IPL. Jha reflected on the young cricketer’s early struggles and determination: “This child has faced challenges since childhood. Reaching this point took great effort. It’s heartening to see him perform well in his debut match, and we are hopeful for an even brighter future.”
Suryavanshi, still a school-going teenager, is now balancing his academics alongside a budding cricket career. “Yes, his academic performance did dip slightly once he got serious about cricket, but he will catch up on that too. He’s equally committed to both,” said Jha.
Recalling the early days, the coach added that Vaibhav’s talent wasn’t an instant discovery: “You don’t always see it in one go. It takes time. But Vaibhav always had a natural flow in his batting.”
With Sanju Samson still recovering, RR have confirmed that Riyan Parag will continue to lead against RCB, and Suryavanshi is likely to get another big-stage opportunity.