In the ever-evolving world of cricket, few stories capture the imagination quite like the emergence of a prodigy. Enter Vaibhav Suryavanshi, a 14-year-old from Bihar, who has set the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 alight with performances that defy his age. From becoming the youngest debutant in IPL history to smashing the second-fastest century in the tournament’s annals, Suryavanshi is being hailed as a generational talent. But as comparisons to the legendary Sachin Tendulkar swirl, former India selector Venkatapathy Raju offers a sobering reminder: brilliance needs time to mature.
Suryavanshi’s fairytale began on April 19, 2025, when he debuted for Rajasthan Royals (RR) against Lucknow Super Giants, stepping in for injured captain Sanju Samson. Bought for a staggering ₹1.10 crore at the IPL 2025 mega auction, the young batter announced his arrival with a fearless 34 off 20 balls, including a six off his very first delivery. But it was on April 28, 2025, against Gujarat Titans, that he etched his name in history. Scoring 101 runs off just 38 balls—with his century coming in a mere 35 deliveries—Suryavanshi became the youngest player to score an IPL hundred at 14 years and 32 days. This blistering knock stands as the fastest IPL century by an Indian and second only to Chris Gayle’s 30-ball record from 2013.
Born on March 27, 2011, in Bihar, Suryavanshi’s cricketing journey started at the tender age of four under the watchful eye of his father. By nine, he was honing his skills at a cricket academy, and at 12, he stunned scouts by representing Bihar in the Vinoo Mankad Trophy (U-19). His domestic exploits include a staggering 190 off 90 balls in an India U-19 preparatory match ahead of their England tour. Internationally, he shone at the 2024 ACC U-19 Asia Cup, smashing 76 off 46 balls against UAE and a rapid 67 off 36 balls in the semi-final against Sri Lanka. Currently with the India U-19 team in England, Suryavanshi continues to build his repertoire, one explosive innings at a time.
Yet, amidst the hype, comparisons to Sachin Tendulkar—who debuted for India at 16 against Pakistan in 1989—have been inevitable. Tendulkar’s early feats, including centuries on debut in the Ranji Trophy, Duleep Trophy, and for Rest of India, set a benchmark for precocious talent. Suryavanshi’s white-ball brilliance has drawn similar admiration, but Venkatapathy Raju, a former India spinner and BCCI selector, cautions against rushing the teenager. ‘He’s special, no doubt. We’ve seen what he can do with the white ball,’ Raju remarked. ‘But he needs time to prove himself in U-19 World Cups and domestic four-day cricket. Talent like this must be nurtured, not hurried.’
Raju also pointed to Tendulkar’s early consistency across formats as a guide. ‘Sachin scored hundreds in his first Ranji, Duleep, and five-day games. If Vaibhav can show that kind of consistency in longer formats, then why not bring him into the senior side? But we must give him the space to grow,’ he added. For now, as Suryavanshi dazzles in the IPL and beyond, the cricketing world watches with bated breath, hoping this budding star blossoms into a true icon. Will he be the next Tendulkar? Only time will tell, but one thing is certain—his journey has only just begun.