'Uncertainty Surrounds Vaibhav Suryavanshi's Role': RR Coach Comments on Young Talent

New Delhi, March 18 (NationPress) As the countdown begins for the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 season, Rajasthan Royals (RR) have shared insights regarding their youngest recruit, Vaibhav Suryavanshi. This 13-year-old prodigy made history as the youngest player to secure an IPL contract, fetching an impressive Rs 1.10 crore at last year's auction in Jeddah.

During the sensational 2024 season, Suryavanshi left his mark on both domestic and international cricket. In a match for Bihar against Baroda, he scored 71 runs off 42 balls in the Vijay Hazare Trophy 2024-25, making him the youngest Indian to achieve a List A fifty.

On the international front, he set a record for the fastest youth Test century by an Indian, smashing a 58-ball ton against Australia in Chennai. Additionally, Suryavanshi was instrumental in India's journey to the ACC U19 Asia Cup final, contributing with two vital half-centuries.

RR's batting coach, Vikram Rathour, praised the gifted young player, expressing confidence that with dedication, he can reach great heights. Nevertheless, he indicated that the timing of Suryavanshi's IPL debut will hinge on the team’s strategy.

“I am uncertain if we will deploy him; it will depend on our strategy, the playing surface, and the opposition. We signed him because he is an extraordinary talent. Despite his young age, I have rarely seen such power in a player. The prospects are promising, and if he commits to hard work, I believe he will become a significant player,” Rathour stated during a press conference on Tuesday.

Rathour, a seasoned cricket veteran, joined the RR coaching staff in September 2024, shortly after Rahul Dravid returned as head coach, rekindling a successful collaboration that propelled India to the summit of the rankings across all formats and secured the ICC Men's T20 World Cup title last year.

“There won’t be much change. We have previously collaborated, and he is an exceptional coach. I thoroughly enjoyed my time with him. When we were part of the national team, we were fortunate to win the World Cup. The IPL is a shorter competition, while Indian cricket spans the entire year.

“The advantage is that we work with the same group of players for possibly three years, whereas in the Indian team, you encounter different batters across formats. Coaching revolves around assisting the team, supporting the batters, guiding them effectively, and maximizing their performance,” the veteran coach remarked.

Under the leadership of Sanju Samson, RR will face off against runners-up Sunrisers Hyderabad in their tournament opener this Sunday.