Introduction
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi (born 27 March 2011) is an Indian cricketer who plays for Bihar in domestic cricket and Rajasthan Royals in the Indian Premier League (IPL). He is a left-handed batsman known for his aggressive batting style and record-breaking performances at a very young age.
He made his first-class debut in January 2024 and holds the record as the youngest Indian List A debutant and the youngest player to debut in IPL history.
Early Life and Background
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi was born in Tajpur, located in the Samastipur district of Bihar. From a young age, he showed extraordinary interest in cricket. His father, Sanjiv Sooryavanshi, played a crucial role in shaping his cricket career.
He started training at just 4 years old. At the age of 8, he joined GenNex Cricket Academy in Patna under coach Manish Ojha. Vaibhav used to travel nearly 100 km regularly for practice, showing immense dedication.
He is a huge fan of legendary cricketer Brian Lara, and his batting reflects similar attacking intent.
Youth Cricket Career
Vaibhav gained early recognition when he played the Vinoo Mankad Trophy for Bihar Under-19 at just 12 years old.
In 2023, he represented India B Under-19 and scored 177 runs in six innings.
In September 2024, he made his India Under-19 debut against Australia and scored a historic 58-ball century, becoming the fastest Indian to score a century in Under-19 Tests.
Key Youth Achievements:
- 58-ball century on U-19 debut
- 177 runs in India B U-19 series
- 76 (46) vs UAE in Asia Cup
- 67 (36) in semi-final vs Sri Lanka
- 144 (42) for India A (T20)
- 175 (80) in U-19 World Cup Final
His performance in the 2026 ICC Under-19 World Cup final made him a global sensation.
Domestic Cricket Career
Vaibhav made his first-class debut for Bihar in January 2024 at just 12 years and 284 days, becoming one of the youngest cricketers in Indian history.
He broke the modern-era record of Yuvraj Singh.
Major Records:
- Youngest T20 debut (13 years 241 days)
- Youngest List A debut (13 years 269 days)
In December 2025, he created history by scoring a 36-ball century in List A cricket. He also broke AB de Villiers record for fastest 150, reaching it in just 59 balls.
He scored 190 runs off 84 balls, proving his explosive batting ability.
IPL Career
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi became the youngest IPL player when Rajasthan Royals signed him in 2024 for ₹1.1 crore.
He made his debut on 19 April 2025 against Lucknow Super Giants at just 14 years and 23 days.
In his debut match, he scored 34 runs, including a six on the first ball.
Historic IPL Century
On 28 April 2025, he scored 101 runs off 38 balls against Gujarat Titans.
- Century in 35 balls
- Second fastest in IPL history
- Fastest by an Indian (faster than most Indian records)
He is just behind Chris Gayle, who holds the record (30 balls).
He also equaled Murali Vijay record of 11 sixes in an innings.
Playing Style
Vaibhav is a left-handed batsman known for:
- Aggressive batting
- Powerful six-hitting ability
- Fearless approach
- Fast scoring rate
His playing style suits modern T20 cricket perfectly.
Age Controversy
There have been questions about his age. In a 2023 interview, he mentioned a different birth year.
However, his father clarified that all official records are correct. He also confirmed that Vaibhav passed BCCI bone tests.
Former cricketer Junaid Khan also questioned his power hitting at such a young age.
Awards and Achievements
National Award:
- 2025 – Rashtriya Bal Puraskar
Cricket Awards:
- 2026 – ICC U-19 World Cup Player of the Tournament
Personal Life
Vaibhav is disciplined and focused. He spends most of his time practicing cricket and improving his fitness.
Despite early fame, he remains grounded and hardworking.
Future Potential
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi is considered the future of Indian cricket. With his talent and performance, he is expected to play for the Indian national team soon.
Experts believe he can become one of the greatest players if he continues this form.
Conclusion
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s journey from a small town in Bihar to becoming the youngest IPL star is truly inspiring. His records, fearless batting, and rapid success make him a unique talent in world cricket.