{"id":40802,"date":"2024-12-06T07:00:14","date_gmt":"2024-12-06T01:30:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.globalindian.com\/youth\/?post_type=story&p=40802"},"modified":"2024-12-07T10:09:24","modified_gmt":"2024-12-07T04:39:24","slug":"unstoppable-at-13-bihars-vaibhav-suryavanshi-becomes-ipls-youngest-star","status":"publish","type":"story","link":"https:\/\/old.globalindian.com\/youth\/story\/cover-story\/unstoppable-at-13-bihars-vaibhav-suryavanshi-becomes-ipls-youngest-star\/","title":{"rendered":"Unstoppable at 13: Bihar\u2019s Vaibhav Suryavanshi becomes IPL\u2019s youngest star"},"content":{"rendered":"

(December 6, 2024) <\/strong>In the cricketing world, talent knows no age. The recent IPL auction held in Jeddah for the 18th edition of the T20 extravaganza emphasizes this. Amid seasoned names, a 13-year-old boy from Bihar stole the show. Vaibhav Suryavanshi, a left-handed batting prodigy, became the youngest player ever to secure an IPL contract. Signed by the Rajasthan Royals for \u20b91.10 crore (approximately $130,500), his record-breaking selection has made headlines.<\/span><\/p>\n

In addition to this remarkable achievement, Vaibhav Suryavanshi is also making headlines for his selection in the Asia Cup U19 squad. Addressing the growing hype around him, he shared in a recent interview, \u201cI am just focusing on the game and keeping other things, including social media, at bay. I\u2019m looking forward to winning the trophy in the Asia Cup. To achieve this goal he has been delivering exceptional performances in the ongoing tournament in the UAE. His impactful innings played a crucial role in propelling the team into the semifinals with ease.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Indian

From Bihar\u2019s Tajpur to national spotlight<\/b><\/h4>\n

Vaibhav Suryavanshi hails from the quaint town of Tajpur in Bihar, located near Samastipur, approximately 166 kilometres from the state capital. He picked up a cricket bat for the first time at the age of five under the watchful eye of his father, who also served as his first coach, driven by his own unfulfilled dream of becoming a cricketer. Despite the lack of cricket coaching facilities in his small town, Vaibhav\u2019s humble beginnings never deterred his ambition. Instead, they fuelled his passion for the game. By the age of 12, he was representing Bihar in the Vinoo Mankad Trophy, a platform that showcased his budding talent. Later, he made his debut in the prestigious Ranji Trophy before even stepping into his teenage years.<\/span><\/p>\n

Shattering records at a young age<\/b><\/h4>\n

Suryavanshi\u2019s debut in the Ranji Trophy at just 12 years and 284 days old was nothing short of historic. Playing against Mumbai, he became the fourth-youngest cricketer to feature in the Ranji Trophy and the youngest in the modern era. His remarkable feat surpassed even cricketing legends like Sachin Tendulkar and Yuvraj Singh in terms of age milestones.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Indian

Talking about the comparisons that were made with legends like Sachin Tendulkar, Vaibhav mentioned, \u201cI felt nice to be compared with none other than Sachin Tendulkar but at the same time, just having a debut was not my goal, my goal was to score good runs.\u201d His maturity on the field, coupled with an aggressive batting style, made him a standout performer in the tournament.<\/span><\/p>\n

International career<\/b><\/h4>\n

Suryavanshi\u2019s international journey began with the India B U19 team in 2023. His performance in the Quadrangular Under-19 series, where he amassed 177 runs in six innings, showcased his potential. However, it was his debut for the India U19 team in September 2024 that truly captured attention. Scoring a blistering 58-ball century against Australia U19, he set a record for the fastest U19 century by an Indian. His innings, studded with boundaries and sixes, announced his arrival on the global stage.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Indian

IPL Contract: Making history at 13<\/b><\/h4>\n

On November 25, this year, the cricketing world witnessed a groundbreaking moment when Rajasthan Royals bid \u20b91.10 crore for the teenager. Entering the auction at a base price of $35,591, Suryavanshi\u2019s signing became a highlight of the event. Nicknamed \u2018Kuttappaai\u2019 (Tamil for \u2018The Little Boy\u2019) at the Royals\u2019 camp, his inclusion reflects the franchise\u2019s faith in nurturing young talent. The IPL contract marks a significant leap in his career, placing him among the elite in Indian cricket.<\/span><\/p>\n

However, Vaibhav remains grounded and believes that \u201crising in cricket requires more than just skill; being mentally strong is equally important to handle the highs and lows and to keep pushing forward.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The resurgence of Bihar cricket: Vaibhav Suryavanshi leading the charge<\/b><\/h4>\n

For years, the state of Bihar grappled with a cricketing identity crisis. The bifurcation of Bihar and Jharkhand in 2000 left most cricket infrastructure with Jharkhand, pushing Bihar out of the Ranji Trophy. This move signalled the end of an era for Bihar cricket, which had once produced strong performances, including reaching the Ranji Trophy finals under Daljit Singh\u2019s captaincy in 1975-76.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Indian

However, the reinstatement of Bihar in domestic cricket in 2018 marked a new dawn, making way for young talents like Vaibhav Suryavanshi to emerge as beacons of hope for the state. Talking about it, Vaibhav mentioned, \u201cI had started playing cricket in 2016, just a couple of years before Bihar cricket got resurrected.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Despite the state\u2019s cricket facilities being in their nascent stages, he managed to reach the Ranji Trophy, the premier domestic first-class cricket championship organized annually by the Board of Control for Cricket in India – which is a commendable achievement for both him and his mentors.<\/span><\/p>\n

A star in the making<\/b><\/h4>\n

A self-confessed admirer of Brian Lara, Vaibhav draws inspiration from the West Indian legend\u2019s determination and match-winning prowess. \u201cHowever, I like to focus on my own style,\u201d he mentioned. With such role models and his steadfast focus, Suryavanshi\u2019s journey promises to be an exciting one.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Indian