Vaibhav Suryavanshi: India’s 14-Year-Old Cricket Phenom

A Rising Star in Indian Cricket

Every few years, Indian cricket witnesses the emergence of a teenage prodigy who seems untouched by the pressures of expectation. This year, that spotlight falls on 14-year-old Vaibhav Suryavanshi. Though he has not yet played in a senior World Cup, he is no stranger to attention, responsibility, and the pressures of performance.

Temperament Tested on the Global Stage

Suryavanshi’s temperament will soon face its greatest challenge at the U19 World Cup. Unlike many young players who shine briefly but fade, Vaibhav has already been exposed to the glare of fame and high expectations. His journey is less about coping with sudden pressure and more about refining a talent that continues to evolve.

“He never took pressure,” says his childhood coach, Manish Ojha. “From a very early age, he always saw cricket as just a game.”

This attitude has been pivotal in his ascent.

Breaking Records and Making Headlines

Vaibhav first grabbed headlines with a 35-ball century for Rajasthan Royals in the IPL, becoming the youngest player to score a T20 century in men’s cricket. His domestic career has also been impressive:

• T20s: 701 runs in 18 matches (average 41.23)
• List A: 353 runs in 8 matches (average 44.12)
• First-Class: 207 runs in 8 matches (average 17.25)

Across Youth Tests and ODIs, he has amassed five centuries, demonstrating his ability to dominate any bowling attack or format.

Consistency Across Tours

Over the past year, Vaibhav has toured England, Australia, and South Africa, as well as played in home assignments with the U19 team. His approach remains aggressive: he rarely eases into an innings, choosing instead to challenge bowlers from the first ball.

In South Africa, he set the record for the fastest fifty in youth ODIs, reaching 50 in just 15 balls. In the next game, he scored 127 off 74 balls, followed by a 96 off 50 against Scotland in a World Cup warm-up match.

“He dominates the bowlers and snatches the game early, putting the opposition on the back foot,” Ojha explains.

Early Signs of Brilliance

Suryavanshi’s talent was evident even at age 11, when he played alongside senior state players at the GenNex Academy in Patna, scoring 118 runs. Flat sixes flew 75-80 meters against more experienced opponents, catching his father and coach’s attention.

Soon after, he began excelling in Bihar’s senior inter-district tournaments, consistently scoring with intent.

Mastery Through Practice

In youth ODIs alone, Vaibhav has hit 80 sixes and 75 fours. His ability to clear boundaries today is the result of years of meticulous training. As a child, he faced 400-500 deliveries daily, focusing solely on technique—perfecting cuts, pulls, lofted shots, and step-outs.

“At that time, the focus was only on technique and process. The ball wouldn’t go far, just 30 yards maybe, but the shot-making was correct,” Ojha recalls.

As he matured, the same shots transformed into powerful boundary-smashing strokes, backed by exceptional hand-eye coordination and a strong back lift.

Handling Pressure With Poise

Equally remarkable is Vaibhav’s calm under pressure. His temperament will be crucial in the U19 World Cup. Given his early career trajectory, he seems ready for these big stages. Centuries continue to flow, and so does the confidence his team places in him.

“The World Cup is a huge platform. If he continues this, I believe he will be part of the senior India team very soon,” Ojha says.

A Reminder of Humility

Despite his talent, Ojha reminds Vaibhav that skill alone is never enough. “There are many players in this country. Legends like Sachin Tendulkar, MS Dhoni, Kapil Dev come once in a while. You have the opportunity to join the list,” he advises.

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Sorit Chaudhary

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