Vaibhav Suryavanshi Shines as IPL's Youngest Debutant with Stunning Performance
Vaibhav Suryavanshi's IPL Debut Steals the Show
On Saturday, Vaibhav Suryavanshi made headlines as the youngest player to debut in the Indian Premier League (IPL), showcasing his talent with a remarkable six on his very first ball.
The 14-year-old left-handed batsman joined the Rajasthan Royals for their match against the Lucknow Super Giants, stepping in for captain Sanju Samson. He made an immediate impact during the chase of 181 runs, launching Shardul Thakur's delivery over extra cover.
Shane Watson, the former Australian cricketer, was left astonished, exclaiming, “What on earth was that?” during the live broadcast.
Watson praised Suryavanshi's ability to execute one of cricket's toughest shots, noting the impressive power displayed by the young player. Suryavanshi, who looks up to West Indies legend Brian Lara, scored 34 runs off 20 balls, including two additional sixes, before being dismissed after contributing to an 85-run opening partnership with Yashasvi Jaiswal. Unfortunately, the Royals lost the match by a narrow margin of two runs.
Rajasthan's spin bowling coach, Sairaj Bahutule, expressed confidence in Suryavanshi, stating, “It was crucial to give him a chance. He performed well in practice, and his preparation was commendable.”
Bahutule acknowledged the absence of Sanju but emphasized that it opened the door for Suryavanshi, who capitalized on the opportunity. He described the young talent as a “great kid” with a well-rounded game, highlighting his aggressive approach and philosophy of ‘watch the ball, hit the ball.’
Suryavanshi had previously made waves in November when he became the youngest player to secure a contract in the IPL at just 13 years old, with a signing fee of 11 million Indian rupees (approximately $128,750) after his team outbid the Delhi Capitals.
Last year, he debuted in the domestic Ranji Trophy at the age of 12 and has also played for India's Under-19 team against Australia, where he scored a century off just 58 balls.
His remarkable talent was evident when he achieved a triple-century in a local tournament in Bihar, and fans are eager to see him continue to shine in the IPL.