Indian teenager breaks record as youngest player sold in IPL auction

Vaibhav Suryavanshi, a 13-year-old cricketer from Bihar, made history when he became the youngest player to be bought at the Indian Premier League (IPL) auction.

Rajasthan Royals secured his services for ₹1.1 crore, making him an instant crorepati. This breakthrough comes ahead of the IPL 2025 season, where the youngest-ever cricketer to play in the league will feature.

However, Vaibhav’s remarkable achievement has been marred by controversy, as some have raised doubts about his age.

Allegations surfaced suggesting that he is actually 15 years old, not the 13 years and 288 days that he declared.

In response, Vaibhav's father, Sanjiv Suryavanshi, firmly rejected these claims, stating that Vaibhav had previously undergone a BCCI bone test at the age of 8 and a half, which confirmed his age.

Sanjiv also said that they would not hesitate to undergo another age verification test if required.

"We have no fear. Vaibhav has already played for India U-19 and was subject to an age test at the age of 8 and a half. He’s ready to go through the test again if necessary," Sanjiv said in an interview.

"My son has worked incredibly hard to get where he is. At just 8 years old, he excelled in the U-16 district trials."

Vaibhav's selection came after impressive performances during his trials for Rajasthan Royals in Nagpur.

According to Sanjiv, Vaibhav was given a scenario where he had to score 17 runs off an over, and he smashed three sixes. In the trials, he hit 8 sixes and 4 fours, catching the attention of the Royals’ coaching staff, including batting coach Vikram Rathour.

Early success and record-breaking Feats

Vaibhav, who hails from Samastipur in Bihar, has already etched his name in cricket history.

He made his Ranji Trophy debut at just 12 years and 284 days old during the 2023-24 season against Mumbai, becoming one of the youngest players to feature in the prestigious competition.

Suryavanshi also gained national attention for his performance in the Youth Test series against Australia, where he smashed an impressive 104 runs off 62 balls. At 13 years and 188 days, he became the youngest-ever centurion in competitive cricket.

He also holds the record for the fastest century by an Indian at the youth level, scoring his century off just 58 balls, which is the second-fastest at this level, behind England’s Moeen Ali, who achieved the feat in 56 balls.

His rapid rise in cricket is reminiscent of the early days of cricketing greats, with the likes of Yuvraj Singh (who debuted at 15 years and 57 days) and Sachin Tendulkar (who began his career at 15 years and 230 days) also breaking records at young ages.

IPL auction 2025 highlights

During the IPL 2025 auction, Rajasthan Royals also made headlines by acquiring Vaibhav for ₹1.1 crore, making him the youngest-ever cricketer bought in the history of the league.

Despite the controversies surrounding his age, his performance on the field has left a lasting impression on selectors and cricket fans alike.

Other notable buys in the auction included wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant, who was sold for ₹27 crore to Lucknow Super Giants, and Shreyas Iyer, who was picked up by Punjab Kings for ₹26.75 crore.

With IPL 2025 just around the corner, Vaibhav Suryavanshi’s inclusion in Rajasthan Royals' squad has sparked excitement for his potential to make waves in the upcoming season.

The auction started on a sizzling note when Indian quick Arshdeep Singh began a bidding war, which ended with Punjab getting the left-arm pace bowler for $2.13 million.

Indian wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant became the most expensive player in Indian Premier League history Sunday when he sold for a record $3.2 million, as teams splashed out on world-class cricketers for the lucrative Twenty20 tournament.

A total of 577 players are up for grabs at the two-day auction in Jeddah, with Pant, England veteran James Anderson and New Zealand all-rounder Rachin Ravindra among the top names.

Looking ahead

As Suryavanshi prepares for the biggest opportunity of his young career, the cricketing world is watching closely to see how he fares in one of the sport's most high-profile tournaments.

Whether the age controversy will affect his performance or not, Vaibhav’s talent and achievements at such a young age have already cemented his place in cricketing history.