As Rajasthan Royals gear up for their big match against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), one name is on everyone’s lips—Vaibhav Suryavanshi, the 14-year-old batting prodigy who is yet to debut, but already making waves across the IPL landscape.
A Star in the Nets: Rattling Jofra Archer
In a series of net sessions captured and posted by Rajasthan Royals on X (formerly Twitter), Vaibhav Suryavanshi faced off against England speedster Jofra Archer—and came out looking like a seasoned professional.
Vaibhav Suryavanshi facing Jofra Archer in the nets. pic.twitter.com/HEa5zcodle
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) April 12, 2025
Despite Archer’s sharp pace and bouncers, the young left-hander played shots like pulls, cuts, and even ducked bouncers with remarkable composure. He reportedly left Archer “out of breath” with his clean hitting and confident approach.
“Vaibhav vs Archer. Where else, if not the IPL?!” — Rajasthan Royals, via social media
Vaibhav Suryavanshi: Career Snapshot (So Far)
| Format | Matches | Runs | Avg | SR | 100s/50s |
| India U-19 | 8 | 421 | 52.6 | 138.4 | 1/3 |
| List A | 3 | 77 | 25.7 | 124 | 0/1 |
| Ranji Trophy | 2 | 102 | 34.0 | 112 | 0/1 |
Who Is Vaibhav Suryavanshi?
- Born: March 27, 2011, Tajpur village, Samastipur, Bihar
- Trained by: His father
- Notable Firsts:
- Youngest debutant in Ranji Trophy (12 yrs, 284 days)
- Youngest Indian in List A cricket
- Scored a 58-ball century vs Australia U-19 at age 13
- Youngest debutant in Ranji Trophy (12 yrs, 284 days)
Why the Hype Around Him?
- Bought by Rajasthan Royals for Rs. 1.1 crore at IPL 2025 auction
- Impressed RR coaches and senior players in nets
- Compared to a young Virat Kohli and Sachin Tendulkar by pundits
- Calm under pressure, quick reflexes, and clean technique
Will He Debut Today vs RCB?
RR faces RCB today at their home ground, Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur. With RR’s middle-order struggling and their playoff hopes shaky, fans believe this could be the perfect moment to unleash Suryavanshi.
Factors Supporting a Debut:
- Batting-friendly Jaipur pitch
- RCB’s vulnerable bowling (esp. death overs)
- Social media campaigns like #PlayVaibhav trending
- Experts suggest controlled exposure now would help long-term growth
“Even if he doesn’t score big, it’s about exposure.” — Aakash Chopra
“Temperament-wise, he’s ready.” — Lisa Sthalekar
RR’s Strategy: Caution with a Plan
While excitement builds, Rajasthan Royals seem to be playing the long game. A senior RR official recently said:
“We want to blood him in the right conditions, in a match situation where he can express himself freely.”
Public Sentiment and Fan Energy
The youngster’s story—from playing cricket in a Bihar backyard to being India’s youngest IPL player—is inspiring fans across the nation. Crowds are expected to cheer louder if his name appears on today’s team sheet.
Future Outlook: When, Not If
Even if Vaibhav doesn’t debut today, his inclusion in the IPL is already historic. RR’s long-term development plan aims to groom him not just for one match, but for greatness.
As one fan tweeted:
“We’ve waited long enough. Let the boy play!
Vaibhav Suryavanshi is more than a wonder kid—he’s a rising force in Indian cricket. Whether his IPL debut comes today or next week, one thing is certain: the future is now, and it looks very bright.
