Vaibhav Suryavanshi created history on Monday when he became the youngest player to be sold in the Indian Premier League (IPL) auction.
The Bihar-born batsman was picked up by Rajasthan Royals for Rs1.1 crore ($180,000) in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
Previously, Prayas Ray Barman, who went to Royal Challengers Bengaluru at 16 years old in the 2019 auction, held the record.
However, Vaibhav’s fame also came with controversy as allegations surfaced that he is actually 15 years old instead of his declared age of 13 years and 288 days.
In an interview uploaded by BNN News Benipatti in April 2023, Vaibhav claimed that he would turn 14 in September that year. This would mean that he has turned 15 by now.
The player’s father Sanjiv Suryavanshi, who did not address the interview issue, said that Vaibhav had undergone an Indian cricket board (BCCI) bone test at the age of eight and a half, and that he would be happy to undergo another one.
“When he was eight and a half years old, he took a BCCI bone test. We don’t fear anyone. He can again undergo an age test,” Mr Suryavanshi told the Press Trust of India.
“My son has worked hard. At the age of eight years, he excelled at U-16 district trials. I would take him for his cricket coaching to Samastipur (city in Bihar) and then take him back.”
Talking about how Rajasthan picked Vaibhav, Mr Suryavanshi said: “Rajasthan Royals had called him for trials in Nagpur. Vikram Rathour sir (batting coach) gave a match situation where he had to score 17 in an over. He smashed three sixes. At trials, he hit eight sixes and four fours.”
Rajasthan coach Rahul Dravid said the franchise has been investing in young talents such as Sanju Samson, Riyan Parag, Yashasvi Jaiswal and Dhruv Jurel.
“I think he’s (Vaibhav) got some really good skills, so we thought it might be a good environment for him to grow in,” said Dravid. “Vaibhav came to our trials and we were really happy with what we saw.”
Hailing from Samastipur, Vaibhav has already made history in domestic cricket. He made his first-class debut for Bihar at 12 years and 284 days against Mumbai in the 2023-24 Ranji Trophy season.
The record was previously held by Indian stalwart Yuvraj Singh who made his debut at 15 years and 57 days. The legendary Sachin Tendulkar started his career at 15 years and 230 days.
Vaibhav caught the attention of cricket experts during the Youth Test series against Australia earlier this year in Chennai, where he smashed 104 runs off just 62 balls. It made him the youngest centurion in the 170-year history of competitive cricket at 13 years and 188 days.
He broke the previous record of 14 years and 241 days held by Bangladesh’s current captain Najmul Hossain Shanto.
Left-hander Vaibhav also hit the fastest century by an Indian at the youth level. It came off 58 balls, just behind England’s Moeen Ali, who achieved the feat in 56 balls.
Vaibhav is currently in Dubai for the U-19 Asia Cup. India will play their first match on Nov 30 against Pakistan at the ICC Academy Ground.
