Vaibhav Suryavanshi scored 104 off 62 in Youth Test against Australia Under-19s at Chennai. Who is 13-year-old sensation Vaibhav Suryavanshi, all you need to know about him.
On an October Tuesday that began like any other at Chepauk, an extraordinary phenomenon began to unfold, striking fear into the hearts of Australia’s cricket team. Enter Vaibhav Suryavanshi, a 13-year-old left-handed batting sensation who idolises Brian Lara. With audacity that belied his age, he launched Thomas Brown over mid-wicket for a towering six, giving the world a first glimpse of a budding superstar.
Record-breaking centurion
At just 13 years and 188 days, Vaibhav made history by becoming the youngest player to score an international century at any level. His innings of 104 runs off a mere 62 balls was a stunning talent showcase. This wasn’t just any century, but also the fastest ever by an India player in Under-19 cricket, achieved in just 58 balls—second only to Moeen Ali’s record of 56 balls back in 2005. With a grin, he declared, “Honestly, I never feel threatened.” Who could argue with such confidence?
The team, for which Vaibhav has been performing phenomenally, the India U-19, are also on a roll. After whitewashing Australia U-19 in the youth ODIs, India wrapped up the first Youth Test in just three days. The setup, which has produced India stalwarts like Virat Kohli and Ravindra Jadeja and shining stars like Shubman Gill, has been truly fruitful for the cricket circuit in the country. Notably, the India U-19 team have the best win/loss ratio of 2.250 in Youth Tests, a statistic that no team other than West Indies YC (2.166) is even close to.
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Promising start
Vaibhav’s journey of his sensational innings began when he walked to the crease with India precariously poised at 110/4 in their second innings, having just secured a slender first-inning lead of three runs. Under the scrutiny of spectators and players alike, he displayed a power pact performance that suggested he was no ordinary player.
Before this achievement, Vaibhav had made headlines in January 2024 at the age of 12, breaking into Bihar’s Ranji Trophy team against Mumbai. That match became infamous not only for his young age but also for the controversy surrounding Bihar sending two teams to compete. Amidst this circus, sceptics questioned whether he was truly 12. The essence of his story—a gifted young cricketer’s journey amidst distractions—was nearly lost. However, instead of being discouraged, Vaibhav thrived, continuously scoring runs and making headlines.
Fulfilling a father’s dream
Vaibhav’s rise to stardom can also be attributed to the sacrifices made by his father, Sanjeev Suryavanshi. A cricket enthusiast whose own dreams were dashed by life’s harsh realities, Sanjeev found himself working various odd jobs in Mumbai, from being a nightclub bouncer to a caretaker at a public toilet. Yet through it all, he carried a singular dream with him: to see one of his children become a cricketer. And now that dream lives on through Vaibhav.
Sanjeev, now working as a journalist at a local newspaper in Samastipur, has gone to great lengths to nurture his son’s talent. He laid down a cement pitch for practice, and, tired of giving throw-downs himself, he recruited local teenagers to bowl to Vaibhav.
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Shot maker’s delight
As Vaibhav’s innings went on, Australia bowlers appeared increasingly bewildered. His ability to play shots all around the park left them searching for answers. Coach Manish Ojha emphasised that their training sessions aimed to cultivate versatility.
“One of the things we knew we had to do was make him play all shots possible,” he noted. “Once he is shown something, he picks up on it quickly and executes it effortlessly in matches.”
The result was a batting display that had the crowd buzzing and the opposition floundering.
Fearlessness personified
What’s truly remarkable about Vaibhav is his fearlessness at the crease. No bowler seems to intimidate him. Instead, he thrives on the challenge. Even when facing the pace of Australia’s 18-year-olds, he showcased a level of audacity that most players twice his age would envy. Sanjeev has occasionally worried about his son’s bravado—after all, who wouldn’t be concerned about a 13-year-old taking on much older opponents? Yet, Vaibhav’s penchant for taking on adversity has only fuelled his ambition.
Vaibhav’s record isn’t just confined to this match. He has been a consistent performer in age-group cricket. In an inter-district tournament, he amassed an astonishing 620 runs, earning him a spot on the Under-19 state side. He continued his impressive form in the Vinoo Mankad Trophy, scoring 393 runs in just five innings. Although he played in white-ball matches for the India Under-19 team, he missed out on the World Cup squad this time around. However, with the next edition set for 2026, it is clear he will be a key player in the team’s future.
Future star
The cricketing fraternity in India must be watching him with bated breath. It is also apparent that Vaibhav is not just a fleeting talent. What Australia encountered was merely the tip of the iceberg, as the talent and expectations from Vaibhav prove.
In a sport that thrives on stories of triumph and determination, Vaibhav’s narrative is one of inspiration, tenacity, and hope. And while he may just be a boy from Samastipur today, tomorrow he could very well be a household name in cricket, carrying forward the dreams of not just his father but an entire nation.
With each game he plays, Vaibhav demonstrates the kind of potential that could one day see him donning the national jersey. So, here’s to Vaibhav Suryavanshi—a young prodigy with the heart of a lion and the talent to match, reminding us all that dreams do come true, especially when fuelled by love, dedication, and a dash of audacity.
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