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Vaibhav Suryavanshi’s age has been a constant source of speculations ever since he shot into the limelight after being bought at the IPL mega auction.
Vaibhav Suryavanshi is the youngest player ever to be sold at an IPL auction. (AP Photo)
Recently becoming the youngest ever player to be picked at an IPL auction, Vaibhav Suryavanshi recently represented an India U19 team at the Asia Cup 2024 in UAE where his team finished as the runners-up. Suryavanshi was picked by Rajasthan Royals at the mega auction for Rs 1.1 crore in Jeddah.
At the U19 Asia Cup, after a quiet start, Suryavanshi showed his wares with back-to-back blistering half-centuries that propelled India into the final. Against UAE, he the 13-year-old opener belted an unbeaten 76 off 46 with three fours and six sixes. And then in the semifinal against Sri Lanka, he led India’s successful chase of 174 with a 36-ball 67 during which he struck six fours and five sixes.
Former Pakistan fast bowler Junaid Khan is in disbelief at the long sixes that Suryavanshi blasted against Sri Lanka in Sharjah insinuating if 13 is his real age.
“Can a 13-year-old kid really hit such a long six????” Junaid wrote on Instagram while sharing a clip of a six Suryavanshi off Sri Lankan pacer Dulnith Sigera as the ball landed deep into the stands.
Recently, Suryavanshi’s father Sanjeev brushed aside the age controversy and said his son can undergo bone test if needed.
“When he was 8 and half years old he first appeared for a BCCI bone test. He has already played India U-19. We don’t fear anyone. He can again undergo age test,” Sanjeev was quoted as saying by news agency PTI.
Suryavanshi represents Bihar in domestic cricket and has played five first-class matches in addition to a T20. Earlier in September, he scored a century against Australia aged 13 years and 187 days which made him the youngest ever to do so in youth cricket.
Sanjeev told News18 that growing up, they faced financial challenges.
“We faced many difficulties, which also included a financial crisis. When Vaibhav was five years old, I used to make him practice cricket at our doorstep. At the age of 7, Vaibhav was enrolled in Samastipur Sports Academy. Here, coach Brijesh Jha trained him with hard work,” Sanjeev told Local 18.
