13-Year-Old Indian Cricketer Lands $130,500 IPL Deal, Makes History

13-Year-Old Indian Cricketer Secures $130,500 IPL Deal, Creating History

A 13-year-old cricketer from Bihar, Vaibhav Suryavanshi, has made history by becoming the youngest player to secure a deal in the prestigious Indian Premier League (IPL), the world’s richest cricket tournament. Suryavanshi was bought by Rajasthan Royals (RR) for 11 million rupees ($130,500), marking a major milestone in his cricketing career.

The left-handed batter, who has already represented Bihar in national competitions like the Ranji Trophy and Mushtaq Ali Trophy, was also part of India’s Under-19 international squad. His exceptional talent caught the eye of IPL teams, with both Rajasthan Royals and Delhi Capitals bidding for him at the auction. Rajasthan Royals, where he had previously trained, won the bidding war, securing the young talent for their squad.

Suryavanshi’s rapid rise in Indian cricket is remarkable, especially given his young age. He made his debut in the Ranji Trophy at just 12 years old, playing against Mumbai. His career highlight to date includes a blistering 58-ball century as an opener in an Under-19 unofficial Test against Australia, making him the youngest player to score a century in youth cricket. Additionally, he scored an unbeaten 332 in an Under-19 tournament held in Bihar, further showcasing his potential.

Rajasthan Royals’ CEO, Jake Lush McCrum, expressed excitement about the youngster’s future, acknowledging that while Suryavanshi’s development will require effort, his raw talent is undeniable. The deal has been a source of immense pride for his family, who sold land to fund his cricketing dreams. Suryavanshi’s father, Sanjiv, a former nightclub bouncer and current farmer, hopes his son remains grounded despite his new success.

However, Suryavanshi may have to wait until he turns 15 to play in official international matches as per the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) minimum age rule for international cricket.