Vaibhav Suryavanshi etched his name in history on Monday by becoming the youngest player ever to be sold at the Indian Premier League (IPL) auction. The 13-year-old Bihar-born batter was picked up by Rajasthan Royals (RR) for a whopping INR 1.1 crore during Day 2 of the IPL 2025 mega auction held in Jeddah. The southpaw’s selection not only marked a milestone in IPL history but also highlighted his extraordinary rise in Indian cricket.
Controversy surrounds Vaibhav Suryavanshi’s age
Despite his historic achievement, controversy soon followed as allegations surfaced regarding Vaibhav’s actual age. Questions were raised about whether he is 13 years and 288 days old as declared or possibly 15 years old, with some even suggesting he could be 14. These claims have sparked debates among cricket enthusiasts and experts, casting a shadow over his record-breaking accomplishment.
Father Sanjiv Suryavanshi defends his son
Amid the allegations, Vaibhav’s father, Sanjiv Suryavanshi, came forward to defend his son. He stated that Vaibhav underwent a BCCI-approved bone test at the age of 8 and half and is ready to undergo further tests to verify his age.
“When he was 8 and a half years old, he first appeared for a BCCI bone test. He has already played India U-19. We don’t fear anyone. He can again undergo an age test,” Sanjiv told PTI.
Sanjiv also shed light on Vaibhav’s early journey in cricket, adding, “My son has worked hard. At the age of 8, he excelled at U-16 district trials. I would take him for his cricket coaching to Samastipur and then bring him back.”
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Vaibhav’s remarkable achievements before bagging a mega deal
Hailing from Samastipur, Bihar, Vaibhav has already made waves in cricket with his extraordinary performances. At just 12 years and 284 days, he made his Ranji Trophy debut against Mumbai during the 2023-24 season, setting a record as the youngest debutant in Ranji history.
The left-handed batter’s prowess was further showcased during the Youth Test series against Australia in Chennai, where he smashed a blistering 104 off 62 balls. This feat made him the youngest centurion in the 170-year history of competitive cricket at 13 years and 188 days. Adding to his accolades, Vaibhav registered the fastest century by an Indian at the youth level, scoring a blistering hundred in just 58 balls – the second-fastest at this level behind England’s Moeen Ali, who achieved the milestone in 56 balls.
With such an impressive resume at such a young age, Vaibhav’s future in cricket looks exceptionally bright, despite the controversies surrounding him.
