Not many were certain that Vaibhav Suryavanshi was going to play in IPL 2025 despite finding a place in the Rajasthan Royals squad. But he took the cricketing world by storm on his debut against the Lucknow Super Giants on Saturday -- becoming the youngest ever to play a match in the tournament. He was asked to open the innings in place of captain Sanju Samson who couldn't retain fitness after suffering an injury in the previous game.
Making most of the opportunity, young Suryavanshi made the world sit up and take note of his talent by smacking Shardul Thakur for a six in the very first delivery he faced. The left-hander was RR's impact substitute for the day during their chase of 181.
On this week’s episode of boys, bat and banter. 😂💗 pic.twitter.com/BnueoQEcw8
— Rajasthan Royals (@rajasthanroyals) April 20, 2025
As he smashed Shardul Thakur over extra cover for a maximum, Australia's Shane Watson said in the commentary box."My word, what the hell was that?" "One of the hardest shots in cricket is to gain power over cover off the front shoe ... Power to burn from the 14-year-old. What a way to announce yourself to the world."Suryavanshi, who idolises West Indian great Brian Lara, hit two more sixes in his 20-ball 34 and was dismissed after forging an 85-run opening stand with Yashasvi Jaiswal.
However, it was no fluke. Sheer hard work and planned training sessions ahead of the tournament helped Vaibhav deliver when an opportunity came knocking. Just after the IPL auction ended and Vaibhav had completed his domestic season for Bihar, he attended four camps conducted by the Royals.
One of the camps was at their state-of-the-art academy in Maharashtra's Talegaon, where international players like Yashasvi Jaiswal, Sanju Samson, Dhruv Jurel and Riyan Parag have all trained.
Manifested 🧿 pic.twitter.com/2DuAkOXPNW
— Rajasthan Royals (@rajasthanroyals) April 20, 2025
"He stayed back between the camps as it would have been very stressful for a then 13-year-old to travel regularly from camp to home and back," a Royals source said.
But having experience of playing just the U-19 and Plate group Ranji Trophy matches, how did Royals prepare him for the big IPL test?
It is understood that neither head coach Dravid nor Bharucha, one of the most respected cricket coaches, wanted any customized plan for him.
"You don't want to create any difference in the preparation. This is to ensure everyone feels they are being pushed equally, so he knows he has to keep up with everyone else's standards.
"A few tweaks like, we started making him play high pace (with the sidearms that can generate a speed over 150kmph) to get used to some of the faster bowlers that he might play in the IPL," the source reportedly told news agency PTI.
Vaibhav's journey has just started and he will be followed keenly.
