In a historic moment for cricket, 13-year-old Vaibhav Suryavanshi from Samastipur, Bihar, has become the youngest player to earn an Indian Premier League (IPL) contract. The Rajasthan Royals (RR) acquired the eighth-grade student for a staggering ₹1.10 crore in the IPL auction, marking a new chapter in the league’s legacy of nurturing young talent.
RR head coach Rahul Dravid expressed confidence in Suryavanshi’s potential and the franchise’s ability to provide a supportive environment for his growth. “Vaibhav has shown exceptional skills during trials, and we believe the IPL is the right platform for him to flourish,” said Dravid in a video shared by the franchise.
Suryavanshi’s meteoric rise has been fueled by impressive performances on the field. He recently etched his name in the record books as the youngest batter to score an international century, achieving the milestone in a Youth Test for India Under-19 against Australia Under-19 in Chennai, where he smashed 104 runs off just 62 balls. He also made his T20 debut for Bihar in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, showcasing his prowess with a quickfire 13 off 6 balls against Rajasthan.
Dravid further highlighted the Royals’ successful retention of their core team and their focus on strengthening their bowling attack. This year’s auction saw RR bolstering their pace department with additions like Jofra Archer, Akash Madhwal, Tushar Deshpande, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Ashok Sharma, and Kwena Maphaka.
Vaibhav’s signing underscores the IPL’s reputation as a platform that nurtures emerging cricketing stars. The cricketing fraternity eagerly awaits the young prodigy’s debut in the world’s most popular T20 league.
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