Vaibhav Suryavanshi Makes Dream IPL Debut at 14, Sets Multiple Records
The Indian Premier League (IPL) has long been known as a platform where young talent can shine on the grandest stage, and on Saturday, the spotlight firmly rested on 14-year-old Vaibhav Suryavanshi. Making his debut for Rajasthan Royals (RR) against Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) at Jaipur’s iconic Sawai Mansingh Stadium, Suryavanshi produced a memorable performance that left fans and experts in awe.
What made his debut even more special was how it began—with a six off the very first ball he faced. Taking on experienced pacer Shardul Thakur, the young prodigy fearlessly launched a delivery over the covers for a maximum, announcing his arrival in style. With this, he became only the 10th player in IPL history to hit a six off their first ball in the league.
Although his innings was relatively short, Suryavanshi made it count. He scored an impactful 34 runs off 20 balls, decorated with two boundaries and three towering sixes. His strike rate of 170.00 was remarkable for a teenager on debut, and he also shared a crucial 85-run partnership with Yashasvi Jaiswal during Rajasthan’s chase of 181. His promising knock ended when Aiden Markram deceived him in flight, leading to a sharp stumping by Rishabh Pant.
In November 2024, Suryavanshi became the youngest player to sign an Indian Premier League contract when he was picked by the Rajasthan Royals at 13 years old for ₹1.1 crore
Beyond his entertaining display, the teenager etched his name into the IPL record books with three significant milestones.
1. Youngest Player to Debut in IPL History
At just 14 years and 23 days old, Vaibhav Suryavanshi became the youngest player to debut in the IPL since its inception in 2008. He broke the previous record held by Prayas Ray Barman, who debuted for Royal Challengers Bengaluru at the age of 16 years and 157 days in 2019. Vaibhav Suryavanshi’s entry into the league at such a young age reflects his immense potential and the confidence RR has in nurturing young talent.
2. Youngest Player to Hit a Six and a Four in IPL
Vaibhav Suryavanshi didn’t just become the youngest debutant; he also became the youngest batter to hit a six in the IPL. The previous record was held by Riyan Parag, also from RR, who had hit a six at 17 years and 161 days. With his fearless shot off Thakur, Vaibhav Suryavanshi set a new benchmark. He also became the youngest to strike a four in the tournament, surpassing another record previously held by Prayas Ray Barman.
3. Joining the Elite First-Ball Six Club
By smashing a six on the first ball he faced in the IPL, Vaibhav Suryavanshi joined a select group of cricketers who have pulled off this rare feat. The exclusive club includes names such as Rob Quiney (Australia), Kevon Cooper and Andre Russell (West Indies), Carlos Brathwaite (West Indies), Aniket Choudhary, Siddhesh Lad, Sameer Rizvi (India), Javon Searles (West Indies), and Maheesh Theekshana (Sri Lanka). It’s an elite list, and Vaibhav Suryavanshi entry speaks volumes about his fearless mindset and composure under pressure.
Match Summary
The thrilling contest between RR and LSG saw Lucknow win the toss and opt to bat first. Their innings was powered by key contributions from Aiden Markram, who scored 66 off 45 balls (5 fours, 3 sixes), Ayush Badoni with a fluent 50 from 34 balls, and a blistering 10-ball 30* from Abdul Samad, featuring four sixes. LSG posted a competitive total of 180/5 in their 20 overs.
Rajasthan Royals, in reply, gave a spirited chase but narrowly missed out, falling short by just two runs. It marked RR’s fourth consecutive loss in the tournament, despite the bright spark provided by their youngest star.
In a season full of twists, Vaibhav Suryavanshi’s debut stands out as a special moment—an early glimpse of a future star in Indian cricket.
