Vaibhav Sooryavanshi: The Rise of
India's Youngest Cricketing Sensation

Early Life: Roots in Bihar

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's story begins in the small village of Tajpur in Samastipur district — a region of Bihar more famous for its traditional culture than sporting infrastructure. Born to parents with a modest background, Vaibhav's early life was deeply rooted in sport and aspiration.

From as early as four years old, he displayed an astonishing affinity for cricket — riding a bicycle to practice, spending hours in nets, and constantly playing with older children and local players in his neighborhood. Coaching initially came from his father, who noticed his flair and determination at a very young age.

When he was just eight, Vaibhav joined the GenNex Cricket Academy in Patna, where he was coached by Manish Ojha — a pivotal figure in his formative training. He devoted enormous hours at the academy, often waking up as early as 4 a.m. to make long journeys for training sessions and practicing relentlessly with match simulation drills.

In many ways, his life was shaped by sheer discipline, determination, and countless hours in practice — qualities that would soon yield historic achievements.

Cricketing Style and Skills

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi is a left-handed top-order batter who also bowls slow left-arm orthodox. His batting is characterized by:

• Explosive power hitting
• Elite hand-eye coordination
• Fearless aggression at the top of the order
• Innovative strokeplay against pace and spin

What makes him especially remarkable is not just power, but timing and maturity beyond his age. As many professionals and commentators have noted, his ability to dominate bowlers with clean timing and shot placement typically belongs to much older, seasoned players — yet it has come naturally to him.

Youth Cricket and Early Performances

Vaibhav's journey through youth cricket was extraordinary from the very beginning:

• Vinoo Mankad Trophy (Under-19): Even as a 12-year-old, Vaibhav featured for Bihar's Under-19 side in the Vinoo Mankad Trophy — a rare feat on its own and an early signal of his brilliance.
• India U-19 Selection: In 2023, he represented India B Under-19 in a quadrangular series, tallying 177 runs in six innings with two half-centuries.
• Historic Under-19 Test Century: In September 2024, Vaibhav made his Under-19 Test debut against Australia Under-19s and scored a century off just 58 balls — the fastest by any Indian in Under-19 Test history, and the second-fastest overall. This innings — 104 runs — echoed around the cricketing world, showcasing not just talent, but maturity and mental strength.
• Youth ODI Exploits: In late 2025, Vaibhav played a Youth ODI series against South Africa U-19, and his performances captivated cricket fans yet again:
  • 24-ball 68 to help India U-19 seal a series victory.
  • 19-ball fifty in a second Youth ODI — one of the fastest youth ODI fifties on record.
  • 63-ball century in another Youth ODI, a blistering performance that dominated the opposition bowling attack.

These innings underline his ability to change matches in a matter of overs.

Domestic Career: Ranji, T20 & Vijay Hazare Stardom

Vaibhav's transition into domestic cricket was historic:

Ranji Trophy Debut: At just 12 years and 284 days, he made his Ranji Trophy debut for Bihar in January 2024. That made him the second-youngest player ever in Ranji Trophy, and the youngest in modern era, surpassing legends like Yuvraj Singh.

T20 & List A Debuts: In the 2024-25 season, he became the youngest T20 cricketer ever at 13 years, 241 days for Bihar in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. Shortly after, he became the youngest player in List A cricket as well at 13 years, 269 days in the Vijay Hazare Trophy.

Record-Breaking Vijay Hazare Trophy Innings: In December 2025, Vaibhav hit an incredible 190 off 84 balls against Arunachal Pradesh in the Vijay Hazare Trophy — becoming the youngest ever List A centurion, and in the process: broke AB de Villiers' record for the fastest 150 in List A cricket (reached in 59 balls), and became the first men's cricketer ever to score hundreds in both List A and T20 formats before age 15. His innings included 16 fours and 15 sixes, an astonishing display of power hitting rarely seen even at professional ages.

Indian Premier League (IPL) Stardom

No discussion of Vaibhav Sooryavanshi is complete without exploring his IPL exploits:

Youngest IPL Contract: In November 2024, Vaibhav became the youngest player ever signed for an IPL team, when the Rajasthan Royals acquired him at age 13 — a remarkable commitment from franchise cricket to an exceptional talent.

IPL Debut & Century: On 19 April 2025, Vaibhav debuted for the Royals at age 14 years and 23 days, becoming the youngest debutant in IPL history. In his very early matches, he scored 101 off just 38 balls against Gujarat Titans — the youngest IPL century by any male player. This century was incredibly rapid: he reached three figures in 35 balls, making it the second-fastest IPL century in history behind Chris Gayle and the fastest by an Indian. In this innings, he struck 11 sixes and 7 fours, showcasing immense power and timing — traits usually seen only among the very best in the world.

Statistics Snapshot in IPL 2025: Across his IPL season: Matches: 7, Runs: 252, Highest Score: 101, Average: ~36, Strike Rate: ~206, Fours: 18, Sixes: 24. This was not merely participation — it was impactful performance at elite level.

Records & Unique Achievements

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's list of records and milestones is staggering:

🏆 Youngest Ever to…

• Play first class Ranji Trophy (modern era)
• Play T20 and List A cricket
• Score a century in IPL
• Score a century in List A cricket Rajasthan Royals
• Score hundreds in both List A & T20 formats before age 15 Cricket

📈 Fastest/Extreme Feats

• Fastest century in List A (36 balls according to some reports) Timeslife
• Fastest 150 in List A cricket (59 balls) Rajasthan Royals
• Second-fastest century in IPL history Cricket

🌐 Search & Cultural Impact

Vaibhav was the most searched Indian personality on Google in 2025, surpassing many top entertainers and public figures — a testament to his cross-cultural appeal.

Career Statistics (Summary Table)

Domestic / Franchise / Age-Group Career Summary (Note: some numbers are approximate based on reported match performances and public sources because full professional match logs aren't released in one central database yet.)

📌 Key Notes on These Stats:

• His List A highest score of 190 off 84 balls came in the Vijay Hazare Trophy — also setting records for fastest 150 in List A history.
• In his IPL debut season (2025) he scored a century (101 off 38) — the youngest ever and the second-fastest in IPL history.
• These figures reflect the period up to early 2026 and his ongoing career in domestic, youth international, and IPL cricket.

Performance Highlights & Record Milestones

Here is a structured snapshot of his key milestones — essentially a condensed head-to-head list of remarkable individual performances:

Career Sixes & Boundary Prowess

Selective Head-to-Head / Key Match Stats

Below are individual performances in notable matches, which can also serve as a rudimentary head-to-head performance indicator against major youth teams:

Notable Records & “Firsts”

Here's a quick list of some of the distinctive career records he's set already:

🥇 Historical / Age-Related

• Youngest player in modern Ranji Trophy history.
• Youngest IPL debutant and centurion.
• First male cricketer to score centuries in List A, T20, and U19 formats before age 15.

🏏 Performance Records

• Most sixes in a Youth ODI match (14 sixes).
• Most career sixes in Youth ODI history with 40+.
• Second-fastest century in IPL (35 balls to 100).
• Fastest 150 in List A cricket (59 balls) breaking AB de Villiers' previous mark.

Quick Snapshot

Off the Field: Fame, Challenges & Responsibility

With stardom at such a young age come unique challenges:

• Media attention and public expectations have skyrocketed.
• Critics have even debated his age authenticity, though official BCCI checks (including bone age verification) have been reported to affirm his registration.
• Legendary figures like Rahul Dravid have publicly urged measured nurturing — emphasizing that Vaibhav isn't finished product yet, and needs guidance, psychological support, and gradual development for a long international career.
• There is a global conversation now about how best to help prodigies like him navigate fame without burn-out.

Future Prospects: A Genuine World Cricket Star

As of early 2026, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi continues preparing for major tournaments like the Under-19 World Cup, and there is genuine excitement about an eventual senior India team debut once age-group criteria are met. His potential path includes: Senior National Team debut, Cricket World Cups, Long IPL career, and Records in all formats including Tests. But beyond accolades, his story is about ambition, discipline, passion, and breaking barriers, bridging social and regional limitations to become a global cricketing phenomenon.

Conclusion: The Making of a Legend

In a sport dominated by seasoned giants, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's rise from rural Bihar to IPL and domestic spotlight is nothing short of astounding. At an age when most children are navigating school exams and hobbies, he is already setting records, leading teams, and drawing comparisons to all-time greats. But what truly sets him apart isn't just the numbers — it's the fearless cricketing mindset, dedication, and sheer love for the game. His journey reminds us that talent combined with determination can defy age, geography, and expectations. India — and the world — watches on with bated breath as Vaibhav Sooryavanshi continues writing the most extraordinary chapter in the history of modern cricket.