Vaibhav Suryavanshi isn’t just any cricketer; he’s the youngest to ever be picked in the IPL auction, joining Rajasthan Royals at just 13-years-old. This left-hander from Bihar has already made history with his rapid scoring against Australia Under-19, showcasing a century in just 58 balls.
Born in a small village, his passion for cricket was sparked at four by his father, who built a backyard pitch for him. Despite the age controversy, his father stands defiant, ready to prove his son’s true age.
However, he failed to score during the run chase against Pakistan in ACC Under-19 Asia Cup 2024 on Saturday. He managed to score just a single run in the fixture. India were chasing a total of 282 runs at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. Suryavanshi tried to get his bat to a delivery outside the off stump line and got out. The ball was bowled by Ali Raza. He scored just one run off nine deliveries.
“I think he’s got some really good skills”- Rahul Dravid on Suryavanshi
Rajasthan Royals roped in Suryavanshi in the IPL Mega Auction 2024 (Image Credits: Twitter)
Meanwhile, Rajasthan Royals’ head coach, Rahul Dravid has heaped praise on Suryavanshi. He felt that the youngster has some good batting skills so they wanted to buy him in the auction and give him a good environment to nurture his skills. The franchise is happy after they got him.
“I think he’s (Suryavanshi) got some really good skills, so we thought it might be a good environment for him to grow in. Vaibhav just came to our trials and we were really happy with what he saw.” Rahul Dravid said in an IPL video.
Meanwhile, in a recent interview ahead of the match against Pakistan, Suryavanshi said that he is not concerned with the controversy regarding his age and wants to focus on his performance. He also called Brian Lara as his idol.
“I’m currently focused on my game. I’m not bothered by what’s happening around. Brian Lara is my idol”, Suryavanshi said to Sony Sports.
In the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT) 2024, Vaibhav Suryavanshi marked his T20 debut for Bihar, playing against Rajasthan. He managed to impress with a quickfire innings, notching up 13 runs off just six deliveries. His was batting really well and smashed two sixes, but his stint was cut short when Deepak Chahar, with his seasoned bowling, claimed his wicket.
