RR’s wonder boy: 14-year-old Suryavanshi wins hearts despite close loss

Fourteen-year-old Vaibhav Suryavanshi has taken the cricket world by storm after becoming the youngest-ever cricketer to play in the Indian Premier League (IPL). He made his debut for the Rajasthan Royals (RR) at just 14 years and 23 days old,

Playing at the iconic Sawai Mansingh Stadium on Saturday, Suryavanshi’s knock of 34 runs off just 20 balls lit up the ground and drew praise from across the cricketing fraternity. His debut innings, was laced with a six off the first ball he faced from Shardul Thakur. His total, including two sixes and three boundaries, showcased a rare blend of composure, confidence, and raw talent. 

Though RR narrowly lost the match to Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) by two runs, the focus was firmly on the young left-hander whose fearless shot-making stole the spotlight.

Manjrekar and Jadeja praise the ‘wonder boy’

Veteran cricketer and commentator Sanjay Manjrekar lauded Rajasthan Royals for backing such a young player and described Suryavanshi as a ‘wonder boy’.

”Just imagine—parents in their late 30s or early 40s watching this. It was unbelievable. His first two sixes came off good deliveries, and then he showed great maturity against the spinners,” said Manjrekar. “Full credit to Rajasthan Royals for trusting him and giving him this platform. They’ve truly unveiled a new wonder boy.”

Former India batter Ajay Jadeja also reflected on Suryavanshi’s temperament and maturity.

“In those 20 balls, Vaibhav showed everything—fearlessness on the first ball, then maturity in how he paced his innings. At 14, just being out there is huge, and to score over 30 is remarkable,” Jadeja said. “He was upset after getting out, which shows how invested he is. But the way he bounced back emotionally shows character.”

From Bihar’s fields to IPL’s brightest stage

Suryavanshi’s cricket journey is a story of sheer grit and sacrifice. Growing up in a small town with limited resources, he honed his game with the support of his family and local coaches who recognized his exceptional talent early on. His rise from dusty pitches in Bihar to the glamorous world of IPL cricket is a testament to the power of dreams and determination.

His selection came after regular RR skipper Sanju Samson was ruled out due to an abdominal strain. RR’s spin bowling coach Sairaj Bahutule explained that the decision to bring in Vaibhav was based on his consistent performance in the nets and his strong mental preparation.

"It was important to give him the chance when the opportunity came up. He had been batting well in the nets. He’s got a game that’s almost 360 degrees. Even at that age, he’s very dominating and brave,” Bahutule said. “His theory is simple: watch the ball and hit the ball.”