Rajasthan buys 13-year-old prodigy Vaibhav Suryavanshi for 1.1 crore

Vaibhav Suryavanshi, a 13-year-old cricketer from Bihar, created history by becoming the youngest-ever player to be sold at an Indian Premier League (IPL) auction. On Day 2 of the IPL 2025 Mega Auction held in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, the Rajasthan Royals (RR) secured the talented teenager for ₹1.10 crore, beating stiff competition from the Delhi Capitals.

Born in 2011, Vaibhav displayed extraordinary talent from an early age. His father, Sanjeev, recognized his potential at just 4 years old and built a small playing area in their backyard to nurture his skills. At 9, Vaibhav joined a cricket academy in Samastipur, where his exceptional talent quickly gained recognition.

Under the guidance of his coach, former Ranji player Manish Ojha, Vaibhav's game reached new heights. At just 12 years old, he made his mark in the Vinoo Mankad Trophy, amassing 400 runs in five matches. Soon after, he debuted in the Ranji Trophy 2023-24 season, becoming the youngest Indian to play first-class cricket in nearly four decades.

In September 2024, Vaibhav's century against the Australian U-19 team in Chennai further solidified his reputation as a rising star. His impressive performances earned him a spot in India's U-19 squad for key international tournaments, including a youth quadrangular series and the ICC U-19 World Cup 2024.

Despite his age, Vaibhav’s calm demeanor and consistency have garnered widespread attention. The IPL bid underscores the cricketing world’s faith in his potential to evolve into one of India’s leading players.

“I owe everything to my family and coach Manish Ojha sir. Their belief in me has brought me here,” Vaibhav said after the auction. Vaibhav Suryavanshi is now poised to begin a new chapter in his cricketing journey with Rajasthan Royals, becoming a symbol of hope and inspiration for aspiring young cricketers across India.