NEW DELHI: The cricketing world is abuzz with the remarkable achievements of Indian prodigy Vaibhav Suryavanshi. Recently, he made headlines by becoming the youngest player ever sold at an IPL auction, fetching a staggering Rs 1.1 crore from the Rajasthan Royals. Now, he has added another feather to his cap by becoming the youngest Indian to participate in a List A match.
Suryavanshi reached this significant milestone during Bihar’s inaugural game in the Vijay Hazare Trophy against Madhya Pradesh on Saturday. At just 13 years and 269 days old, he eclipsed the previous record held by Ali Akbar, who debuted for Vidarbha at 14 years and 51 days during the 1999/2000 season. In addition to this latest achievement, Suryavanshi also holds records as the youngest player in both Ranji Trophy history and for representing India at the U19 level.
Despite his groundbreaking entry into List A cricket, Suryavanshi faced challenges right from his debut; he was dismissed for a mere four runs. The Madhya Pradesh bowling attack proved formidable, with pacer Avesh Khan claiming three wickets as they bowled out Bihar for a total of 196 runs. Madhya Pradesh then comfortably chased down this target within just over 25 overs thanks to an unbeaten contribution of 55 runs from captain Rajat Patidar and an impressive innings of 83 runs from opener Harsh Gawali.
Reflecting on his journey so far, Suryavanshi expressed that while playing in the IPL is thrilling, it’s his opportunity to learn under legendary cricketer Rahul Dravid that excites him even more. “I am truly grateful for my chance in IPL,” he shared enthusiastically. “However, what really makes me happy is being able to play under Rahul Dravid sir.” He further mentioned that he doesn’t have any specific strategies planned for IPL; instead, he’ll focus on playing naturally as per his style.
As Vaibhav continues to break barriers and set new records at such a young age—an inspiration not only for aspiring cricketers but also sports enthusiasts across India—his journey will undoubtedly be one closely followed by fans around the globe.
Ananya Upadhyay is an experienced freelance journalist specializing in investigative reporting on health and environmental issues. She is a college student and contributes to The Right Opinion, she delivers impactful news with deep analysis to inform and engage global audiences.