The Indian Premier League (IPL) has a new star and he’s just 14! Vaibhav Suryavanshi made his IPL debut on Saturday as he became the youngest to play in the cash-rich T20 League . Suryavanshi’s IPL debut came against Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) at his team Rajasthan Royals’ (RR) home stadium – Sawai Mansingh Stadium.
The Bihar boy joined the franchise after being picked for Rs 1.1 crore in the IPL 2025 mega auction last November. This came after Suryavanshi made his First-Class debut for Bihar at the age of 13 in January 2024.
Suryavanshi scored 34 off 20 balls on debut, opening the innings for RR with Yashasvi Jaiswal. And while RR went on to lose the match by 2 runs, the teenager impressed everyone with his mature knock and lack of stage fright .
The biggest moment for Suryavanshi on the night was his first-ball six against Shardul Thakur in the first over. Facing his first ball, Suryavanshi showed no fear as he slammed the veteran all-rounder over the covers.
Experts can’t keep calm after Vaibhav Suryavanshi’s sensational debut
Vaibhav’s confidence and talent left the experts mesmerised as England cricketer Sam Billings compared him to prime Yuvraj Singh.
“This is utterly absurd!!!!! 14! First ball Look at that bat swing too, like prime Yuvi… wow,” Billings wrote on social media platform X.
This is utterly absurd!!!!! 14! First ball 😂🤯😂
— Sam Billings (@sambillings) April 19, 2025
Look at that bat swing too, like prime Yuvi… wow 🤩 https://t.co/7mELxq4aQP
Impact Shorts
More ShortsAmbati Rayudu told ESPNcricinfo that it was “unimaginable” to be playing IPL at the age of 14, while Mark Boucher said, “He must be a special cricketer.”
Former IPL commissioner Lalit Modi congratulated RR for unearthing a talent like Vaibhav.
“What an amazing big thing to see a 14 year old kid makes it into the playing squad of an @iplt20 team @rajasthanroyals #vaibhavsuryavanshi. Congratulations to him and to the #rajasthanroyals management for encouraging young talent. This is what I created #indianpremierleague way back In 2007 where we insisted of an under 18 player to be on the bench. So it’s heartening to see an 14 year old make it into the playing squad,” he wrote on X.
What an amazing big thing to see a 14 year old kid makes it into the playing squad of an @iplt20 team @rajasthanroyals #vaibhavsuryavanshi Congratulations to him and to the #rajasthanroyals management for encouraging young talent. This is what I created #indianpremierleague way… pic.twitter.com/W9HLAkiIXc
— Lalit Kumar Modi (@LalitKModi) April 19, 2025
Former Australian pacer Damien Fleming was also left in shock by Vaibhav’s debut. “Vaibhav on @IPL Debut . Hits first ball for 6…..Over Cover 14 years of age,” he wrote.
🏏 Vaibhav on @IPL Debut . Hits first ball for 6…..Over Cover 🤩
— Damien Fleming (@bowlologist) April 20, 2025
14 years of age 😳 https://t.co/e5wGGjyMrp
Google CEO Sundar Pichai was equally impressed with Suryavanshi’s foray into the IPL.
“Woke up to watch an 8th grader play in the IPL!!!! What a debut,” he said on X.
Woke up to watch an 8th grader play in the IPL!!!! What a debut! https://t.co/KMR7TfnVmL
— Sundar Pichai (@sundarpichai) April 19, 2025
Suryavanshi originally hails from Samastipur, which is about 100 kilometres to the northeast of Patna.