In his three-match IPL 2025 career, 14-year-old Vaibhav Suryavanshi has defeated international bowlers Shardul Thakur, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, and Rashid Khan. It was only feasible because he wasn't under any strain.
He knew he'd go big if the ball was in his arc, and he delivered, blasting his first IPL ton off just 35 balls, including 7 fours and 11 sixes.
He became the youngest player to hit a century in IPL and T20 cricket; his century was the second fastest in IPL history and the fastest by an Indian in the league.
The indicators were there when Vaibhav scored a six off his opening ball against Shardul Thakur. He had a quick 34 against LSG that day, but his talent was completely demonstrated against GT. Vaibhav scored 11 sixes against GT.
"Wo mere lie normal thha kyuki main pahle bhi India U19 aur domestic cricket mein maar chuka hu pahle ball pe chhakka. Toh mere andar koi pressure nahi thha ki main pahle 10 ball khel lu. Mere mind clear thha ki agar mere radar mein ball ayi toh main marunga. (It was a normal thing for me. I have played Under-19 for India and also at the domestic level, where I have hit first-ball sixes. I was not under pressure to play out the first 10 balls. In my mind I was clear that if the ball comes in my radar, I will hit it," Vaibhav Suryavanshi told the IPL website.
"It was not like that I was thinking it's my first game. Yes, there was an international bowler (in front of me), and the stage was big, but I was just playing my game," he said.
In his third game in the high-stakes event, he scored 94 runs on boundaries. This came after a spectacular 34-run knock on his IPL debut off 20 balls, including a first-ball six that focused the limelight squarely on his cherubic visage.
The youngster from Bihar's Samastipur was born nearly three years after the IPL began. Suryavanshi thanked his parents, father Sanjeev and mother Aarti, for sacrificing their comforts for his advancement.
"I am what I am because of my parents. My mother, for the sake of my practice schedule, wakes up at 3 in the morning after going to sleep at 11, sleeping barely three hours. She then prepares meals for me. My father left his work to support me. My elder brother is taking care of his work, and the household is running with great difficulty. But Papa is backing me. God ensures that those who work hard never fail. The results that we are seeing and the success that I am achieving are because of my parents,” Vaibhav said.
"I want to contribute to India, and I have to work hard for that. I cannot stop working hard till I achieve that level. I will try to do well for the country," he said.
He was also grateful to the Rajasthan Royals club management for believing in him every step of the road after being brought on board following a trial.
"I was preparing for this moment for a long time, and I am happy that it worked out the way I wanted. In the trials, I batted well, and there was (batting coach) Vikram (Rathour) sir and (team manager) Romi (Bhinder) sir who said, We will try to pick you for the team.
They introduced me to (head coach) Rahul (Dravid) sir. To be trained by Rahul sir is a dream come true, and I get a lot of support from the other support staff and senior players; they give me confidence that I can do it. They always tell me that I can win it for the team. There is no pressure of what will happen next because they motivate me," he added.
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