Vaibhav Suryavanshi Becomes Youngest Player in IPL History at 13

Bihar’s cricketing prodigy, Vaibhav Suryavanshi, has etched his name in the record books by becoming the youngest player to earn an IPL contract. The 13-year-old left-handed batter was signed by Rajasthan Royals (RR) for INR 1.10 crore (approximately USD 130,000) during the IPL 2025 auction.

At just 13 years and 243 days, Suryavanshi is already making waves in Indian cricket. He has represented India Under-19 and recently scored a scintillating century against Australia Under-19 in a four-day game in Chennai. That knock, a 58-ball 104, made him the youngest player to score a century in youth cricket at 13 years and 187 days, breaking Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto’s previous record.

The Auction Drama

Suryavanshi entered the auction with a base price of INR 30 lakh. A bidding war ensued between Rajasthan Royals and Delhi Capitals, with RR eventually securing his services.

“He’s been to our high-performance center in Nagpur and impressed our coaching setup there,” said Jake Lush McCrum, CEO of Rajasthan Royals. “He’s an incredible talent, and we’re excited to have him on board. Lots of work will go into developing him further, but we’re confident he can step up to the IPL level.”

A Rising Star

Hailing from Samastipur, Bihar, Suryavanshi has already made a mark in domestic cricket. He debuted in the Ranji Trophy earlier this year and is currently playing in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy for Bihar. He also boasts a triple-century—an unbeaten 332—scored in the Randhir Verma U-19 Tournament in Bihar.

Suryavanshi idolizes Brian Lara and frequently consults former India opener Wasim Jaffer, whom he first met during an Under-19 white-ball tournament in Bangladesh in 2023. His formal coaching, however, comes from his father, Sanjeev Suryavanshi, a former cricketer who turned coach after his playing career ended.

A Future Star in the Making

Suryavanshi’s meteoric rise has been fueled by his raw talent, remarkable performances, and dedicated mentorship. As the IPL approaches, the cricketing world will be keenly watching this young sensation to see how he handles the big stage. For Rajasthan Royals, the acquisition represents a bold investment in the future of Indian cricket.