Patna: In a rare alignment of tech and tinsel town, both Sundar Pichai and Varun Dhawan heaped praise on Vaibhav Suryavanshi, whose record-breaking debut in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 has made him the youngest-ever player to feature in the tournament’s history.
Pichai, the CEO of Google, wrote on X (formerly Twitter): “Woke up to watch an 8th grader play in the IPL!!!! What a debut!” Not to be outdone, Bollywood heartthrob Varun Dhawan, known for his love of cricket, excitedly exclaimed in a video clip doing the rounds on social media: “Woh Vaibhav Suryavanshi, 14 saal ka hai, maar raha hai!” (That’s Vaibhav Suryavanshi, he’s just 14 years old and hitting it big!).
The young left-handed batter from Bihar stunned viewers during Rajasthan Royals’ clash against Lucknow Super Giants. Coming in as an impact substitute during a tense 181-run chase, Vaibhav smashed a six off his very first ball — a moment that instantly went viral. He went on to score a thrilling 34 off 20 balls, including three sixes, forming an 85-run partnership with Yashasvi Jaiswal and bringing his team within two runs of victory.
Born in Samastipur and raised in Patna, Vaibhav’s meteoric rise is a story of grit, guidance and raw genius. He debuted for Bihar in the Ranji Trophy at the tender age of 12, and by 13, had already cracked a century in 58 balls against Australia U-19s. His performances led to a Rs 1.1 crore contract with Rajasthan Royals in the 2025 IPL auction — a remarkable achievement for someone who is still in middle school.
The support of his father, Sanjeev Suryavanshi, has been instrumental in shaping Vaibhav’s journey. Sacrificing personal comforts to fund his son’s training at academies in Samastipur and Patna, Sanjeev ensured that Vaibhav could hone his skills with professional coaching and match experience.
Cricket experts have noted Vaibhav’s uncanny composure under pressure, highlighting his shot selection and timing as hallmarks of a much older player. His debut not only captured national imagination but also signalled a shift — a new generation of fearless young cricketers is on the rise.
