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Vaibhav Suryavanshi was signed by Rajasthan Royals for Rs 1.1 crore at the IPL 2025 auction and one debut; he hit a six on his first ball to give a glimpse of his abundant talent.
Vaibhav Suryavanshi scored 34 off 20 on IPL debut. (PTI Photo)
The IPL 2025 mega auction was set abuzz when the then 13-year-old batter from Bihar, Vaibhav Suryavanshi, became the center of a fierce bidding war among multiple franchises. Ultimately, the Rajasthan Royals secured the left-handed batter’s services for a whopping INR 1.1 crore — a staggering amount for someone so young and inexperienced. While his inclusion in the playing XI was initially considered unlikely, fate had other plans.
A Debut Destined To Happen
RR captain Sanju Samson, who had already missed the first four matches of the ongoing IPL season, was ruled out again with a side strain against Lucknow Super Giants. The RR team management looked beyond the regular names, and Vaibhav was handed his IPL debut — a moment that would etch his name into cricketing folklore.
What followed was nothing short of spectacular. On his very first ball in the IPL, Vaibhav smashed a six off seasoned pacer Shardul Thakur, leaving fans and experts gobsmacked. Despite the Royals finding themselves in a precarious position this season, they’ve undeniably gifted Indian cricket with a sparkling new gem.
A Glimpse of Stardom Before IPL
Even before landing his IPL contract, Vaibhav had already built quite the reputation. He made his First-Class debut at just 12, smashed a quickfire hundred against Australia in a U-19 Youth Test, and left a strong impression during the Youth Asia Cup for Team India. On April 19, the world witnessed the capabilities of this child prodigy on one of cricket’s biggest stages.
The Years of Grit Behind the Glory
Vaibhav’s success wasn’t an overnight miracle. It was the result of years of relentless effort and a dream to represent India. His coach Manish Ojha shared the backstory with Cricketnext, shedding light on the sacrifices made by Vaibhav and his family.
“Vaibhav came to me when he was around nine years old. The distance from his native Samastipur to Patna is around 100 km, and he used to come to my coaching center every alternate day. Vaibhav used to start training around 7:30 am and continued till the evening, before travelling back home. He has followed this schedule for over four years,” Ojha said.
Even in the pre-season TV commercials, legends like Sanju Samson and MS Dhoni were seen talking about the young boy, underlining his rising stature.
More Than Just Raw Talent: A Relentless Work Ethic
Ojha recalled how Vaibhav’s dedication to practice was unlike any other kid his age.
“Usually, a kid plays 40-50 balls per day in any cricket academy. But Vaibhav, under my watch, played 400-500 balls on a daily basis. Going forward, we induced some technical changes in his batting style. The way he adapted to those changes and executed them on the field, reflected that he is different from others,” Ojha said.
“Also, Vaibhav has always delivered more than we expected from him. Be it the local tournaments, the domestic fixtures under Bihar Cricket Association or any game, if we demanded at least a fifty, he scored a 100,” he added.
Fearless From Ball One
A bunch of players have started their IPL careers with a six, but Vaibhav holds the distinction of being the youngest ever to do so. That fearlessness, Ojha insists, has always been a part of his personality.
“He has always been an attacking player. His intent is very different from others. He never lets the opponent dictate terms. He never likes to get under pressure, no matter who is he facing. Usually, kids get tensed while facing seniors or competitive opponents. But Vaibhav is different. He never changes his approach,” the coach said.
“Once during a match simulation, I asked him why are you not taking singles and doubles. He said, ‘Jis ball ko main chhakka maar sakta hun usmein single kyun lun’ (Why should I go for a single when I can hit that ball for a six?). So, he was very clear about his game from a very young age,” he added.
The Family That Built A Cricketer
Ojha highlighted the critical role Vaibhav’s family played in his rise — especially his father Sajeev Suryavanshi, who was determined to see his son succeed where he himself couldn’t.
“Vaibhav kept on getting fame in Bihar, but his parents have played a huge role. His mother woke up early at 4 am and prepared food for Vaibhav. His father accompanied him to trainings and matches. We did contribute as coaches, but his parents are the driving forces.”
“Vaibhav and his father had long ago made up their minds that the kid will play cricket. The father wanted to play cricket, but he couldn’t. So, he tried to live his dream through his son,” Ojha said.
Breaking Records, Surpassing Expectations
Vaibhav’s INR 1.1 crore deal is arguably one of the most remarkable stories in IPL auction history. To most coaches and observers, it would have been a far-fetched dream just two years ago.
“I wouldn’t have thought about it in 2023. But the way he progressed in the Bihar cricket and started making waves in the domestic tournaments, we started believing that he will find a buyer at the (IPL) auctions,” Ojha said.
“We never thought of the price but were sure that he would get sold. People have started noticing him now, but we have seen him grow. His style of batting, his shot selection… he is 10-years ahead of his age-group players,” he concluded.
