Exclusive: Teenager Vaibhav Living His Father’s Dream by Becoming Youngest Ever Player to Earn IPL Contract

At 13, Vaibhav Suryavanshi has seen himself trending on social media after the left-hand top-order batter became the youngest player to earn an IPL deal, worth Rs 1.10 crore (US$0.13 million approx.), from Rajasthan Royals (RR) at the mega auction in Jeddah on Monday evening.

Suryavanshi’s claim to fame began in January 2024, when he became the fourth-youngest Indian to make his debut in a recorded first-class match at the age of 12 years and 284 days in the Ranji Trophy 2023-24 against Mumbai.

Nine months later, in October 2024, the eighth-standard student from Bihar’s Samastipur district, grabbed eyeballs with a belligerent century in his first ever appearance for the India Under-19 team against a visiting Australian side in a Youth Test. At 13 years and 187 days - the southpaw slammed a 62-ball 104 at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai, thus breaking the previous record of 14 years and 241 days held by Bangladesh’s current captain Najmul Hossain Shanto.

During his brief career, Suryavanshi has also scored a triple-century - an unbeaten 332 - in an U-19 tournament in Bihar, the Randhir Verma Tournament, and is currently featuring in the country’s premier domestic T20 competition — Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy.

On Monday, the rising star went into the auction with a base sum of Rs 30 lakh, and soon attracted a bidding battle between Delhi Capitals and RR before eventually heading for the Rajasthan outfit.

Born to a former cricketer-turned-coach, Sanjeev Suryavanshi, the youngster’s batting skills have been praised by the legendary Rahul Dravid, who rejoined the RR franchise, months after leading India to the T20 World Cup trophy in June this year.

“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,” Dravid said in a video released by the IPL.

Meanwhile, during the intense bidding between the two franchises, the youngster was involved in a preparatory meeting with the Indian Under-19 team for the upcoming Asia Cup, but his father kept a tab on the proceedings and was hoping against hope for his son to be picked.

“I was keeping my fingers crossed all the while, there were butterfly-in-the-stomach moments..but at the end of it, I can only be grateful to the Almighty for the opportunity. This is indeed a proud moment for the family,” Sanjeev told SportsBoom.com. 

Recalling his personal struggles, especially after giving up his own cricketing dreams, an emotional Sanjeev said he took up various odd jobs to support himself and his family.

“Oh..what do I say about the struggles….I gave up cricketing dreams at 19 as there wasn’t any financial support. I spent the next 12 years in Mumbai doing all sorts of odd jobs, including at a public toilet to support myself,” he continued.

“Cricket has changed a lot since our playing days, academies have come up, there are rewards for cricketers if you keep performing consistently, and IPL is one such grand reward. My son has got that for his dedication and consistency, I can’t be any happier for him…he has turned my dream into a reality today."

Sanjeev believes that his son has got into the right hands after being picked by the RR franchise. “One can’t ask for more, we have seen the kind of work Rahul Dravid has done previously at the RR franchise, and at the Under-19 level. The Royals have always backed young talent, be it Sanju Samson, Riyan Parag, Dhruv Jurel, I hope Vaibhav takes the same route one day.”

For the Sr Suryavanshi, money is an important factor, but at the same time, he cautioned his son to not get the highs of the IPL auction into his head as he believes there’s a long way to go for the youngster.

“Money is an important factor, be it in cricket or in any other field, and this sum will also help us in many ways. But more than that, I want to make sure that the high of an IPL contract doesn’t get to his head, and he continues to pursue his dreams with the same dedication. I’m yet to speak to him, but when I do, that’s the first thing I want to tell him,” he said.

“After all, it’s just the start, there are miles to go….,” reminded the father-come-coach as his son prepares for Saturday’s U-19 Asia Cup fixture against Pakistan in Dubai.