Will 13-year-old batter Vaibhav Suryavanshi make his IPL debut?
What's the story
Rajasthan Royals (RR) made headlines at the 2025 Indian Premier League (IPL) mega auction by signing 13-year-old prodigy Vaibhav Suryavanshi for ₹1.1 crore.
The young batter has been making waves in the youth circuit, but his performance against international bowlers at the highest level remains untested.
This situation poses a challenge for Suryavanshi to secure a spot in RR's established batting line-up.
Team dynamics
Competition for a spot in the batting order
The RR batting unit is largely made up of players who were retained ahead of the mega auction.
Key players like Yashasvi Jaiswal, Sanju Samson, Riyan Parag, and Dhruv Jurel occupy important spots in the order.
This could make it tough for Suryavanshi to find his way into the team. He might have to warm the bench before an opportunity arrives.
Coach's insights
Coach Vikram Rathour comments on Suryavanshi's potential role
Vikram Rathour, RR's batting coach, has said he is not sure if Suryavanshi will play immediately.
He said the young player's inclusion would depend on several factors such as strategy, surface conditions, and opposition.
Despite the uncertainty, Rathour praised Suryavanshi as a "very special player" with immense ability and power for his age.
Stats
Five FC and six List A appearances
Suryavanshi, now the youngest-ever player signed in the IPL, shone in the Vijay Hazare Trophy 2024/25.
At just 13, he smashed 71 runs off 42 balls for Bihar against Baroda on December 31, 2023.
In five First-Class matches, the youngster owns 100 runs at 10 with the best of 41. In six List A matches, he has scored 132 runs at 22. The batter has played a solitary T20, scoring 13 runs.
Records
Notable records of Suryavanshi
At just 12, Suryavanshi played for Bihar in the Vinoo Mankad Trophy, scoring around 400 runs in five games.
The youngster joined Bihar's Ranji Trophy squad, making his First-Class debut at 12 years and 284 days.
He made headlines again when he scored a century off just 58 balls on his India Under-19 debut against Australia. This became the fastest-ever ton by an Indian in Youth Tests.