From a quiet village in Bihar to smashing records under the IPL spotlight – meet the teen who’s already changing the game.
A Roar Heard Across the Country
The noise that erupted in Jaipur’s Sawai Mansingh Stadium on April 28, 2025, wasn’t just excitement, it was the sound of history being made.
A 14-year-old boy named Vaibhav Suryavanshi had just hit a massive six over midwicket to bring up his first-ever IPL century. But this wasn’t just any century. He had:
- Scored the fastest IPL hundred by an Indian
- Become the youngest player in men’s T20 history to score a century
And here’s the kicker: Vaibhav was born in 2011, three years after the IPL began. The league had finally seen its first post-2008-born star, and he wasn’t just playing — he was rewriting the record books.
Bihar to the Big League: The Backstory
Vaibhav’s cricket story doesn’t start in a stadium, it starts in Tajpur, a small village in Bihar’s Samastipur district, far away from big cricketing hubs like Mumbai or Delhi.
- He was born into a farming family, where cricket was more of a dream than a career path
- Inspired by his dad Sanjiv’s unfulfilled cricket dreams, Vaibhav picked up the bat at just 4 years old
The sacrifices his family made are something else:
- His dad sold part of their farmland to fund coaching and gear
- His mom woke up at 4 a.m. daily to prep food for his long training sessions
- He travelled 100 km every alternate day to Patna for cricket coaching
Under coach Manish Ojha, a former Ranji player, he was hitting 90-meter sixes by age 10, practicing with 350– 400 balls a day.
His climb through the ranks was just as fast:
- At 12, scored 400 runs in 5 games for Bihar in the Vinoo Mankad U-19 Trophy
- Got selected for India B U-19 before he even turned 13
- Made his Ranji Trophy debut at just 12 years and 284 days
- Hit a 58-ball century vs. Australia U-19 at 13 years and 188 days
All that momentum led him to the 2025 IPL Auction, where Rajasthan Royals picked him up for $130,000 — the youngest player ever bought.
Smashing Records Like a Pro
Vaibhav made his IPL debut on April 19, 2025, at just 14 years and 23 days, breaking the previous youngest-player record by a mile.
- On his very first IPL ball, he sent it soaring for a six over extra cover
And then came the big one — April 28 against Gujarat Titans:
- Hit a century in 35 balls – the second-fastest in IPL history
- Fastest IPL hundred by an Indian, beating Yusuf Pathan’s 37-ball century
- Smashed 11 sixes, a new record for most sixes by an Indian in an IPL innings
- Scored 94 out of 101 runs in boundaries
- Built a 166-run opening stand with Yashasvi Jaiswal
He wasn’t just hitting sixes — he was bullying international bowlers:
- Took Ishant Sharma for 3 sixes and 2 fours in a single over
- Took down Washington Sundar with ease
- Hit Karim Janat for 3 sixes and 3 fours in his debut IPL over
- Brought up his century with a clean six off Rashid Khan
No Fear, Just Fire
What really stood out about Vaibhav wasn’t just the runs—it was how fearless he looked.
- His coach Sairaj Bahutule summed it up:
“He’s bold and wants to attack. His approach? Watch the ball, hit the ball.” - Even under pressure, he looked calm, confident, and in total control
- His partner Yashasvi Jaiswal said:
“That’s one of the best innings I’ve ever seen. He’s worked hard, and it shows. He’s got the skill and the mindset.” - His childhood coach Ojha beamed with pride:
“This is just the beginning. He’s on his way to becoming a T20 star for India.”
Should a 14-Year-Old Be in the IPL? Let’s Talk
Vaibhav’s entry has sparked some big questions about how young is too young in elite cricket.
Here’s the deal:
- The ICC says players need to be 15+ to play international cricket
- But IPL has no age limit — they only require that U-19 players have played at least one first-class or List A match
Vaibhav met that rule, thanks to his Ranji debut. But there are two sides to this:
Why it’s great:
- Gives talented kids a shot at the big stage early
- Helps them grow faster and earn earlier
Why it’s risky:
- Physically, T20 cricket is demanding — is a 14-year-old’s body ready?
- Mentally, the pressure and media glare can be intense
- The line between motivation and burnout gets blurry real quick
The pressure is real:
- Big auction money = big expectations
- Online scrutiny is constant
- Life suddenly changes — media, travel, fame
That’s why Vaibhav’s journey now depends on the support around him — from his family, his coaches, and trusted mentors like Rahul Dravid.
Professional mental health support and coaches who focus on long-term growth (not just wins) will be game-changers for him.
Conclusion: A Star is Born, A Future Ignited
Vaibhav Suryavanshi’s journey from the cricket grounds of Bihar to the bright lights of the IPL is more than a sporting achievement; it’s a story of hope, belief, and limitless potential.
- As the youngest T20 centurion and record-holder for fastest IPL century by an Indian, his name is now etched in cricket history
- But more importantly, his story proves that talent can come from anywhere, and that when support meets opportunity, greatness can happen no matter your age
The road ahead won’t be easy. The spotlight is bright, the expectations are massive. But Vaibhav has already shown us that he has the skills, the mindset, and the resilience to walk that path.
As fans, we’re lucky to be watching the start of what could be one of cricket’s most extraordinary careers.
