Vaibhav Sooryavanshi

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi
Sooryavanshi in 2025
Personal information
Born (2011-03-27) 27 March 2011
Tajpur, Bihar, India
NicknameBoss Baby[1]
BattingLeft-handed
BowlingSlow left-arm orthodox
RoleTop-order batter
International information
National side
T20I debut (cap 122)4 July 2026 v England
Last T20I26 July 2026 v Zimbabwe
Domestic team information
YearsTeam
2023/24–presentBihar
2025–presentRajasthan Royals
Career statistics
Competition T20I FC LA T20
Matches 6 9 13 40
Runs scored 193 215 564 1,670
Batting average 32.16 16.53 43.38 42.82
100s/50s 0/2 0/1 1/2 4/8
Top score 81 93 190 144
Balls bowled – 102 60 17
Wickets – 4 0 0
Bowling average – 17.00 – –
5 wickets in innings – 0 – –
10 wickets in match – 0 – –
Best bowling – 2/11 – –
Catches/stumpings 4/– 3/– 6/– 8/–
Medal record
Men's cricket
Representing  India
ICC U19 World Cup
Winner2026 Zimbabwe & Namibia
ACC U19 Asia Cup
Runner-up2024 UAE
Runner-up2025 UAE
Source: Cricinfo, 25 August 2026

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi (Maithili: [/ʋæbʱəʋᵊ suːɾjəʋənʃiː/]; born 27 March 2011), also spelled Vaibhav Suryavanshi, is an Indian cricketer. He is a left-handed top order batter and an occasional slow left-arm orthodox bowler. He made his international debut for the Indian cricket team in the T20I series against England in July 2026. At 15 years and 99 days of age, he is the youngest player to represent the Indian team.

Vaibhav plays for Bihar in domestic cricket and made his first-class debut in January 2024. He plays for Rajasthan Royals in the Indian Premier League (IPL). He made his IPL debut during the 2025 season, and was the youngest debutant in the IPL at the age of 13.

Early life

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi was born on 27 March 2011 in Tajpur, Samastipur district in the Mithila region of Bihar.[2][3][4] His father Sanjiv Sooryavanshi, who had aspired to become a cricketer himself during his early career, encouraged Vaibhav to take up cricket.[5] Vaibhav began training at the age of four and his father enrolled him at a cricket academy run by Manish Ojha in Patna when he was nine years old. Vaibhav and his father traveled approximately 100 km (62 mi) from Samastipur to Patna on alternate days for his training sessions.[5][6][7] Vaibhav has mentioned the West Indian batter Brian Lara as his inspiration.[8]

There have been confusions over Vaibhav's official date of birth.[9] In a 2023 interview, he had stated that he would turn 14 on 27 September 2023, which implied that he is at least an year and a half older than the age calculated as per his official date of birth.[10][11] In November 2024, his father, Sanjiv Sooryavanshi, insisted that his official date of birth was accurate and that he had undergone a bone density test when he was eight and a half years old,[12] and has consistently passed the tests mandated by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) for age verification.[13]

Youth career

Vaibhav made his debut for the Bihar under-19 team at the Vinoo Mankad Trophy in 2024.[14] In 2023, he played for the India B under-19 team in a quadrangular series, and scored 177 runs in six innings, including two half-centuries.[15] In September 2024, he made his debut for India under-19 team against the Australia under-19s.[16] On his under-19 Test debut, he scored a hundred in 58 balls, the fastest by an Indian under-19 player,[17] and the second-fastest in under-19 international cricket.[18][19]

At the 2024 ACC Under-19 Asia Cup, Vaibhav scored two half-centuries. He scored 76 runs off 46 balls against UAE under-19s,[20] followed by 67 runs from 36 balls in the semi-final against Sri Lanka under-19s.[21] In November 2025, he scored 144 runs off 42 balls while playing for India A against the United Arab Emirates in the Asia Cup Rising Stars.[22] In the final of the 2026 Under-19 Men's Cricket World Cup, he scored 175 runs off 80 balls against England, helping India win the tournament.[23] He was selected for India A's tour of Sri Lanka in May 2026. In June 2026, in the final of the tri-series in Sri Lanka, he scored the fastest half-century in List A cricket in 11 balls, and finished on 94 runs off 29 balls.[24]

Domestic career

Vaibhav made his first-class debut for Bihar against Mumbai at the age of 12 years and 284 days old in January 2024.[25][26] In doing so, he became the fourth youngest cricketer to play in the Ranji Trophy, and the youngest since 1986.[27][28] In November 2024, he became the youngest Indian to make his debut in T20 cricket at the age of 13 years and 241 days, when he appeared for Bihar against Rajasthan in the 2024–25 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy.[29][30] In December 2024, he became the youngest Indian to play List A cricket, when he made his debut for Bihar in the 2024–25 Vijay Hazare Trophy match against Madhya Pradesh at the age of 13 years and 269 days.[31][32]

In December 2025, during the 2025–26 Vijay Hazare Trophy, Vaibhav scored a 36-ball century against Arunachal Pradesh, becoming the youngest player to score a hundred in List A cricket at the age of 14 years and 272 days. In the same match, he broke AB de Villiers' record for the fastest 150 in List A cricket, when he reached 150 runs in 59 balls, and eventually scored 190 off 84 balls, with 16 fours and 15 sixes.[33]

Franchise career

In November 2024, Vaibhav became the youngest player to sign an Indian Premier League (IPL) contract when the 13-year old was picked by the Rajasthan Royals for ₹11 million (US$110,000).[34] Sooryavanshi became the youngest debutant in the IPL when he represented the Royals in a match against the Lucknow Super Giants on 19 April 2025.[35][36] In his debut IPL match, he scored 34 runs in 20 balls, including a first-ball six.[37]

On 28 April 2025, at 14 years and 32 days old, Vaibhav became the youngest player to score a century in the IPL when he scored 101 runs off 38 balls in a match against the Gujarat Titans.[38] He reached his century in 35 balls, making it the second-fastest century in IPL history behind Chris Gayle (30 balls), and the fastest by an Indian.[39] During the innings, he also became the youngest player with a 50+ score in all T20s and equalled the record for most sixes in an IPL innings by an Indian (11), held by Murali Vijay.[40]

On 27 May 2026, Vaibhav scored 97 runs from 29 balls in a match against the Sunrisers Hyderabad. During the match, he broke Gayle's record of most sixes in an IPL season (59) after hitting 12 sixes, taking his total to 64.[41][42][43] He won several awards including the Most Valuable Player, Orange Cap for the most runs(776 runs), Emerging Player of the Season, Super Striker for the highest strike rate (237.30), and Super Sixes for the most sixes (72) in the 2026 Indian Premier League season.[44]

International career

In June 2026, Vaibhav received his first call-up to the senior India team for their tour of Ireland and England.[45] He made his debut for India in the second match of the series against England. He scored 14 runs off 10 balls including two sixes before being out stumped off a delivery from Will Jacks.[46] He scored 28 runs in the next two matches,[47][48] before being dropped for the fifth and final T20I.[49] He was selected in the Indian squad for the away series against Zimbabwe in July 2026.[50] On 23 July 2026, during the first T20I against Zimbabwe, he became the youngest batter to score a half-century in international cricket, when he made 50 runs off 19 balls.[51] He scored 151 runs across three matches on the tour, and was named player of the series, becoming the youngest male player to win the award.[52]

Playing style

Vaibhav is an explosive top order batter, particularly in limited overs cricket. He is known for his ultra-aggressive batting style in which he targets the boundary on the majority of deliveries he faces.[53] His strokes include the pull shot over deep mid-wicket and square leg, the uppercut over cover point to counter bouncers, and lofted shots over covers and down the ground. He is also adept at stepping out and slog sweeping against spin bowlers.[54][55] His batting has drawn comparisons to left handed batters such as Brian Lara, Sachin Tendulkar, Virender Sehwag, and Yuvraj Singh.[56]

Vaibhav's batting technique centers around an unusually high, lateral backlift that is almost behind his head, and a wide stance characterized by a heavy offside lean and predominantly back foot positioning. This gives him longer levers and more torso rotation with the coiling and uncoiling of the upper body to maximize the speed of his bat swing, as per former cricketer and coach Zubin Bharucha. These biomechanical adjustments allow him to impart immense power on every shot. He also utilizes a double downswing, allowing him to play the ball later than most and which also allows him to create a whip effect with his strong wrists when striking. His unconventional "O grip" also helps him execute powerful premeditated leg side shots.[57][58]

Honours

References

  1. ↑ Kamal, Mohsin (29 April 2025). "'Why hit a single when you can hit six?' - the making of a teen IPL star". BBC Sport. Archived from the original on 2 July 2026. Retrieved 2 July 2026.
  2. ↑ "Vaibhav Sooryavanshi". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 1 June 2026.
  3. ↑ G, Sandip (31 May 2026). "From Bihar's Tajpur to IPL stardom: The extraordinary rise of Vaibhav Sooryavanshi". The Indian Express. Archived from the original on 1 June 2026. Retrieved 1 June 2026.
  4. ↑ "Vaibhav Sooryavanshi Home". The Times of India. Retrieved 25 July 2026.
  5. 1 2 Vaidyanathan, Vaishnavi (29 April 2025). "Vaibhav Suryavanshi's family: How the father and mother of RR's 14-year-old prodigy fueled his cricket dream". Hindustan Times. Archived from the original on 24 May 2025. Retrieved 1 June 2026.
  6. ↑ "Suryavanshi far from a one-dimension player: Coach Ojha". Hindustan Times. 5 August 2025. Archived from the original on 13 September 2025. Retrieved 1 June 2026.
  7. ↑ "Vaibhav Suryavanshi". Cricket.com. Archived from the original on 28 April 2025. Retrieved 28 April 2025.
  8. ↑ B., Venkata Krishna (25 November 2024). "Vaibhav Suryavanshi becomes youngest ever at 13 years 188 days, to score international century". The Indian Express. Archived from the original on 28 April 2026. Retrieved 13 December 2025.
  9. ↑ "Explained: Why there is confusion around the age of Vaibhav Suryavanshi, India U19's 13-year-old opener". Wisden. 3 October 2024. Archived from the original on 6 December 2024. Retrieved 14 April 2025.
  10. ↑ "Vaibhav Suryavanshi 14 Years Old Cricketer Interview to BNN News Benipattiin Benipatti High School BPL 2023". YouTube. 6 April 2023. Archived from the original on 30 April 2025. Retrieved 30 April 2025.
  11. ↑ "Who is Vaibhav Suryavanshi? 13-year-old Indian prodigy who smoked Australia U19 attack for 58-ball century in youth Test". Hindustan Times. 2 October 2024. Archived from the original on 2 October 2024. Retrieved 7 October 2024.
  12. ↑ Javaid, Arfa (26 November 2024). "How Old Is Vaibhav Suryavanshi Bought By RR For Rs 1 Cr At IPL Auction? What's The Controversy?". News18. Archived from the original on 26 November 2024. Retrieved 3 May 2025.
  13. ↑ "Cricketer Vaibhav Suryavanshi age controversy explained". RNZ. 2 May 2025. Archived from the original on 12 April 2026. Retrieved 1 June 2026.
  14. ↑ Hussain, Syad (6 January 2024). "A 12-year-old makes his first-class debut as two Bihar squads are named for Ranji Trophy game in crumbling stadium". ESPNcricinfo. Archived from the original on 19 September 2025. Retrieved 1 June 2026.
  15. ↑ "Vaibhav Suryavanshi, a 12-year-old Bihar cricketer, makes his first-class debut in the Ranji Trophy". The Economic Times. 6 January 2024. Archived from the original on 7 December 2024. Retrieved 1 October 2024.
  16. ↑ Kathvale, Sumeet (1 October 2024). "13-year-old Vaibhav Suryavanshi smashes fastest hundred for India U19 in Youth Test vs Australia". India TV. Archived from the original on 11 February 2026. Retrieved 1 October 2024.
  17. ↑ "IND vs AUS: 13-year-old Vaibhav Suryavanshi hits 58-ball hundred in youth Test". India Today. 1 October 2024. Archived from the original on 1 October 2024. Retrieved 1 October 2024.
  18. ↑ "13-year-old Vaibhav Suryavanshi scores fastest hundred in U19 Tests, second quickest overall". The Indian Express. 1 October 2024. Archived from the original on 8 December 2024. Retrieved 1 October 2024.
  19. ↑ "Highlights: 13-year-old India opener Vaibhav Suryavanshi smashes 58-ball 100 vs Australia U19". Wisden. 1 October 2024. Archived from the original on 21 April 2025. Retrieved 14 April 2025.
  20. ↑ "Vaibhav Suryavanshi hits 46-ball 76 vs UAE in ACC Under-19 Asia Cup; India beats UAE by 10 wickets". Sportstar. 4 December 2024. Archived from the original on 8 December 2024. Retrieved 8 December 2024.
  21. ↑ "Vaibhav Suryavanshi stars as India beat Sri Lanka to make U19 Asia Cup final". The Times of India. 6 December 2024. Archived from the original on 8 December 2024. Retrieved 8 December 2024.
  22. ↑ "Vaibhav Suryavanshi hits astonishing century in India A victory". BBC Sport. 14 November 2025. Archived from the original on 17 May 2026. Retrieved 1 June 2026.
  23. ↑ "Vaibhav Suryavanshi: India teenager, 14, makes 175 from 80 balls in Under-19 World Cup final against England". BBC Sport. 6 February 2026. Archived from the original on 29 April 2026. Retrieved 1 June 2026.
  24. ↑ "Vaibhav Sooryavanshi scripts history, breaks 20-year-old record with fastest fifty in List A cricket". The Times of India. 21 June 2026. Archived from the original on 21 June 2026. Retrieved 21 June 2026.
  25. ↑ Waris, Sarah (5 January 2024). "Cricketer with age listed as 12 years old makes Ranji Trophy debut". Wisden. Archived from the original on 5 December 2024. Retrieved 14 April 2025.
  26. ↑ Kumar, Amit (29 January 2024). "Vaibhav Suryavanshi - The 12-Year-Old Who Broke Sachin Tendulkar And Yuvraj Singh's Record". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 7 December 2024. Retrieved 1 October 2024.
  27. ↑ "A 12-year-old makes his first-class debut as two Bihar squads are named for Ranji game in crumbling stadium". ESPNcricinfo. 6 January 2024. Retrieved 1 June 2026.
  28. ↑ "Top 4 youngest players in Ranji Trophy". My Khel. Archived from the original on 6 March 2026. Retrieved 1 June 2026.
  29. ↑ "Youngest players in T20s". ESPNcricinfo. Archived from the original on 12 December 2024. Retrieved 1 June 2026.
  30. ↑ "Rajasthan vs Bihar, Group A at Rajkot, SMAT, Nov 23 2024 - Full Scorecard". ESPNcricinfo. Archived from the original on 9 September 2025. Retrieved 1 June 2026.
  31. ↑ "Vaibhav Suryavanshi, Rajasthan Royals' 13-year-old crorepati, creates new record in List-A cricket". Hindustan Times. 22 December 2024. Archived from the original on 22 December 2024. Retrieved 22 December 2024.
  32. ↑ "Vaibhav Suryavanshi sets all-time record in Vijay Hazare Trophy". The Times of India. 9 January 2025. Archived from the original on 28 June 2026. Retrieved 1 June 2026.
  33. ↑ Kishore, Shashank (24 December 2025). "VHT: Suryavanshi slams 36-ball ton for Bihar, becomes the youngest List A centurion". ESPN. Archived from the original on 24 December 2025. Retrieved 24 December 2025.
  34. ↑ "Anderson, 42, fails to earn IPL deal but 13-year-old signed". BBC Sport. 25 November 2024. Archived from the original on 26 November 2024. Retrieved 25 November 2024.
  35. ↑ Shetty, Varun (19 April 2025). "IPL's youngest debutants: Vaibhav Suryavanshi makes history". ESPNcricinfo. Archived from the original on 20 April 2025. Retrieved 19 April 2025.
  36. ↑ "RR vs LSG: Vaibhav Suryavanshi, 14, becomes youngest player to make IPL debut". India Today. 19 April 2025. Archived from the original on 19 April 2025. Retrieved 19 April 2025.
  37. ↑ "14-year old Vaibhav Suryavanshi kicks off IPL career with first-ball six". ESPNcricinfo. 19 April 2025. Archived from the original on 19 April 2025. Retrieved 19 April 2025.
  38. ↑ Malik, Varun (28 April 2025). "Vaibhav Suryavanshi creates history in IPL 2025, surpasses Jos Buttler in major Rajasthan Royals record". India TV. Archived from the original on 27 April 2026. Retrieved 1 June 2026.
  39. ↑ "14-year-old Vaibhav Suryavanshi smashes his maiden half-century in just 17 balls". The Economic Times. 28 April 2025. ISSN 0013-0389. Archived from the original on 29 April 2026. Retrieved 1 June 2026.
  40. ↑ "Vaibhav Suryavanshi rewrites men's T20 records". ESPN. 28 April 2025. Archived from the original on 29 April 2026. Retrieved 1 June 2026.
  41. ↑ "Sooryavanshi a once-in-a-lifetime talent, says Hyderabad assistant Franklin". Reuters. 28 May 2026. Retrieved 28 May 2026.
  42. ↑ "'New six machine': Chris Gayle makes Vaibhav Sooryavanshi admission after 15-year-old breaks his IPL record". The Times of India. 28 May 2026. Archived from the original on 29 May 2026. Retrieved 1 June 2026.
  43. ↑ "6, 6, 6, 6, 6, 6, 6: Vaibhav Sooryavanshi Breaks Chris Gayle's All-Time Record, Gets 'Universe Baby Boss' Label". NDTV. 28 May 2026. Archived from the original on 28 May 2026. Retrieved 1 June 2026.
  44. ↑ "Vaibhav Sooryavanshi: Teenager, 15, wins car for IPL season achievements". BBC Sport. 1 June 2026. Archived from the original on 16 July 2026. Retrieved 15 July 2026.
  45. ↑ Davis, Matt (6 June 2026). "Sooryavanshi, 15, gets first India call-up". BBC Sport. Archived from the original on 6 June 2026. Retrieved 6 June 2026.
  46. ↑ "Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's India debut: Two sixes, 10 balls and a record-breaking day". The Times of India. 4 July 2026. Archived from the original on 4 July 2026. Retrieved 4 July 2026.
  47. ↑ "England vs India, 3rd T20I at Nottingham, ENG vs IND, Jul 06 2026 - Full Scorecard". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 21 July 2026.
  48. ↑ Monga, Sidharth. "Men against boy: Archer ensures no let-up on Sooryavanshi short-ball tactic". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 21 July 2026.
  49. ↑ "India face backlash over dropping teen prodigy Sooryavanshi in 5th T20I". MSN. 14 July 2026. Archived from the original on 15 July 2026. Retrieved 21 July 2016.
  50. ↑ Srivastava, Prateek (23 July 2026). "No child's play: Vaibhav Sooryavanshi should know that Zimbabwe T20Is will be as tough as the ones in England". Hindustan Times. Retrieved 23 July 2026.
  51. ↑ "Vaibhav Sooryavanshi scripts history, becomes youngest to score an international fifty". The Times of India. 23 July 2026. Archived from the original on 23 July 2026. Retrieved 23 July 2026.
  52. ↑ "Vaibhav Sooryavanshi scripts history, creates world record at just 15". The Times of India. 27 July 2026. Retrieved 29 July 2026.
  53. ↑ Rajesh, S. "Boy vs men: Vaibhav Sooryavanshi blazing a trail against the best in the IPL". ESPN. Archived from the original on 10 July 2026. Retrieved 9 July 2026.
  54. ↑ "Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's new toys – upper cut, hit through covers, inside-out shots". The Indian Express. 3 July 2026. Archived from the original on 3 July 2026. Retrieved 10 July 2026.
  55. ↑ Monga, Siddharth (20 May 2026). "Ramping it up: Sooryavanshi shows a new side of his genius". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 10 July 2026.
  56. ↑ Bhattacharya, Aditya. "What does Vaibhav Sooryavanshi have that Brian Lara doesn't? India's boy wonder believed to be hiding his true feelings". Hindustan Times. Archived from the original on 13 July 2026. Retrieved 9 July 2026.
  57. ↑ Ganjoo, Himanish. "Vaibhav Sooryavanshi: the beast T20 made". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 9 July 2026.
  58. ↑ Hunt, Sam. "Vaibhav Suryavanshi's Unique Power Hitting Advantage". Cricfit. Archived from the original on 14 July 2026. Retrieved 9 July 2026.
  59. ↑ Pavithran, Lekshmy (26 December 2025). "Vaibhav Suryavanshi's stellar year: India's 14-year-old cricket star to receive top civilian award". Gulf News. Archived from the original on 29 December 2025. Retrieved 31 December 2025.
  60. ↑ "Cricket prodigy Vaibhav Suryavanshi conferred with Rashtriya Bal Puraskar". The Hindu. Press Trust of India. 27 December 2025. Archived from the original on 27 December 2025. Retrieved 31 December 2025.
  61. ↑ "Under-19 World Cup 2026: List of Player of the Tournament winners". Sportstar. Retrieved 1 June 2026.
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