At 14, Vaibhav Suryavanshi becomes youngest IPL player – Leaves Google CEO Sundar Pichai in awe: All about his humble family and extraordinary cricket journey

At just 14 years and 23 days old, Vaibhav Suryavanshi has created history by becoming the youngest-ever cricketer to play in the Indian Premier League (IPL). But behind his dazzling debut with Rajasthan Royals (RR) in IPL 2025, lies his extraordinary story of sacrifice, dreams, and grit which has brought him from Bihar’s fields to IPL glory.


Born on March 27, 2011, in the humble village of Tajpur in Bihar, Vaibhav didn’t grow up in the comforts most young athletes enjoy today. His father, Sanjeev Suryavanshi is a farmer with a deep love for cricket. It was his father who noticed Vaibhav's hidden-talent in cricket at the tender age of eight, and he nurtured and supported it. To help Vaibhav make a career in cricket, his father Sanjeev Suryavanshi made an unimaginable sacrifice— by selling off his farmland to support Vaibhav’s dreams!


“Woh ab sirf humra bituwa nahi pura Bihar ka bituwa hai (He is not just my son now but entire Bihar's son)...Not just investment, it's big investment. Aapko kya bataye humne toh apna zameen tak bech diya. Abhi bhi halat pura sudhra nahi (I have sold my land. Financial issues are still there),” his father told PTI in an earlier interview, reflecting on the hardships they help Vaibhav become a professional cricketer.


Talking about his son Vaibhav's training, Sanjeev further said, “My son has worked hard. At the age of 8 years, he excelled at U-16 district trials. I would take him for his cricket coaching to Samastipur and then take him back.”

From playing cricket at age eight to making his debut for Bihar in the Ranji Trophy against Mumbai at the age of 12, to outshining in Under-16 and Under-19 regional tournaments-- Vaibhav's rise as a professional cricketer is nothing but extraordinary! He soon caught national attention, smashing a 64-ball century for India U-19 against Australia and playing a key role in the U-19 Asia Cup.


Addressing concerns regarding Vaibhav's age, his father added, “When he was 8 and half years old he first appeared for BCCI bone test. He has already played India U-19. We don't fear anyone. He can again undergo age test.”


Over the months, Vaibhav's achievements have only increased: In December 2024, he became the youngest-ever player to sign an IPL contract, bought by Rajasthan Royals for a whopping INR 1.10 crore. And on April 19, 2025, Vaibhav Suryavanshi, the 14-year-old sensation from RR, made a memorable IPL debut against Lucknow Super Giants (LSG). He announced his arrival in style by smashing a six off the very first ball he faced, becoming only the 10th player in IPL history to achieve this feat. The historic moment unfolded at Jaipur's Sawai Mansingh Stadium during the high-energy clash between RR and LSG.



Despite the fame and recognition, Vaibhav stays grounded. A Class 8 student, he balances studies and cricket with incredible maturity. Infact, Vaibhav Suryavanshi's exceptional talent and debut in IPL also caught Google CEO Sundar Pichai's attention. So much so that Pichai tweeted about it on April 20, saying, "Woke up to watch an 8th grader play in the IPL!!!! What a debut!"



When asked how their family is shielding Vaibhav from his newfound fame, wealth and the pressures of cricket, his father Sanjeev said in an earlier interview as reported by ET, “He just wants to play cricket and nothing else. A few years back, he loved Doremon, not anymore.”


Today, as Vaibhav Suryavanshi steps onto the IPL stage, he carries not just his family’s hopes, but the dreams of an entire generation who dare to believe that talent, backed by sacrifice and hard work, can conquer the world.