Fearless Wunderkind Vaibhav Suryavanshi Dazzles IPL at the Tender Age of 14

Vaibhav Suryavanshi stunned the world of cricket when he stepped into the IPL as a 14-year-old and made a big impression in his very first game. With no fear or nervousness in sight he came forward to meet one of the best bowling attacks of the tournament and began his innings with an exquisite six down the covers. That one shot told the world about the kind of player he is. Confident bold and ready for the big stage.

His explosive performance was in a match against Gujarat Titans in the bright lights of Jaipur. Suryavanshi played as if he had been doing this for years. He hit his way to the quickest Indian century in IPL history and also became the youngest cricketer in history to have scored a T20 century at the age of 14 years and 32 days. A lot of fans were not only surprised with the runs he accumulated but with the attitude and flair he exhibited on the crease. His strokes were packed with power timing and aggression. Some of them were pure luck yes but most of them were sheer skill.

What makes this performance all the more remarkable is that he was facing some of the league's top bowlers. He was confronted with deliveries by Mohammed Siraj Jofra Archer and Ishant Sharma and dealt with them in the same manner. He did not care about their reputation. In one against Ishant Sharma he scored 28 runs with a combination of flicks slashes and sixes. Washington Sundar was hit for 21 runs in the following over. Prasidh Krishna and Karim Janat were also punished by the youngster. Suryavanshi did not spare anyone. He played shots in all directions with confidence and panache.

Though he played risky shots many of them went to the boundary or cleared it. As a matter of fact 38 percent of his strokes prior to reaching his half-century were not well timed but still he did not get deterred and continued to go for more. It was evident that he was not only playing with talent but also with heart and faith in him. Such an attitude is not common particularly at such a tender age. Rajasthan Royals batting coach Vikram Rathore stated that Suryavanshi executes the same attitude in practice also. He even confronts Jofra Archer in the nets without hesitation. That is that fearless attitude of his which is what sets him apart.

Even Sachin Tendulkar heaped compliments on the kid stating that he achieves success owing to quick bat speed reading the ball early and investing all power in every hit. Rathore termed his stroke as a phenomenal downswing. These are the attributes that enabled him to create an innings that will never be forgotten in front of a large audience. And what makes it even more thrilling is that this is only the start of his career. The Royals team were not surprised at his performance since they had witnessed him practice like this for months. What they liked most was that he was able to do it on the biggest stage.

At first glance, this game could pass for any other high-scoring IPL match. But there is a difference here. The difference lies in the age of the player who took over the game. Suryavanshi is more than just another young star. He is likely the youngest in history to sparkle this much in such a massive tournament. While names like Shubman Gill and Jos Buttler also played great knocks in the same match it was the 14-year-old who stole the show. Even experienced players had to step back and admire his brilliance.

There have been many young cricketers in the IPL over the years. Players like Ayush Mhatre and Priyansh Arya have also impressed in recent seasons. But Suryavanshi’s age and performance set him apart. He is not merely a bright young cricketer. He is already breaking records. Rathore was cautious not to put pressure by comparing him with others but did term him special and added that he has a very long way to go. If Suryavanshi works hard and remains humble, he can go very far in his life.

His story is even more inspiring because of where he comes from. Bihar has not produced many international cricketers and now with MS Dhoni’s career nearing its end Suryavanshi brings a new ray of hope to the state. He has shown that talent can shine from anywhere. With his fearless batting strong technique and powerful swing he has already become a player to watch out for.

Vaibhav Suryavanshi has made his entry into the world of cricket in style. Only 14 years old he has exhibited maturity and talent well ahead of his age. His first innings will be spoken about for a long time not only for the runs he scored but for how he played. He did not merely play cricket. He made a point. The future belongs to this young boy.