IPL 2025: RR Introduces New Talent, Suryavanshi Receives Praise from Manjrekar
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Synopsis
The IPL 2025 season has introduced the youngest cricketer, Vaibhav Suryavanshi, who impressed with a remarkable 34 off 20 balls for Rajasthan Royals. Despite the loss, he received praise from cricketing legends for his fearless and mature performance.
Key Takeaways
- Vaibhav Suryavanshi becomes the youngest IPL player.
- He scored 34 runs off 20 balls, showcasing his talent.
- Former cricketers praise his maturity and fearlessness.
- Rajasthan Royals support his debut in the IPL.
- He demonstrated remarkable skills and a strong mindset.
New Delhi, April 20 (NationPress) The cricketing world was left in awe as fourteen-year-old Vaibhav Suryavanshi made history by becoming the youngest cricketer to participate in the Indian Premier League (IPL), delivering a stunning performance with a score of 34 runs off 20 balls for the Rajasthan Royals (RR).
Despite RR's loss by two runs to the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), former Indian cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar commended the franchise for discovering a remarkable talent in Suryavanshi.
“Just think about it—parents in their late 30s or early 40s witnessing this. It was extraordinary. His initial two sixes came from quality deliveries, and he demonstrated impressive maturity against spin bowlers. He left a mark on everyone,” Manjrekar stated.
“When he got out, it seemed like he might shed tears—and at his age, that would be entirely understandable. Kudos to Rajasthan Royals for placing their faith in him, providing him with an excellent opportunity at the top of the order, even with another left-handed batsman alongside. They have truly revealed a new prodigy,” he added during an interview on JioStar.
Suryavanshi, hailing from Samastipur, Bihar, kicked off his IPL journey with a spectacular lofted shot off Shardul Thakur, hitting a six on his very first delivery. He followed this by clearing his front leg to smash Avesh Khan down the ground for another six.
He went on to strike three more boundaries before falling victim to a flighted delivery and getting stumped off Aiden Markram in the ninth over.
Former Indian cricketer Ajay Jadeja praised Suryavanshi’s composed innings, highlighting his maturity and mindset during his first experience on such a grand stage in T20 cricket.
“In those 20 balls, Vaibhav demonstrated everything—fearlessness from the first ball, followed by maturity in pacing his innings once Jaiswal took charge. At just 14 years old, being present in such a match is significant, and scoring 30-odd runs is exceptional. He appeared visibly affected after his dismissal, indicating his dedication,” Jadeja remarked.
“That moment when he was out could be attributed to fitness, and I’m confident he’ll improve on that. What stood out was his ability to quickly bounce back—almost in tears after getting out, but back with the team just an hour later. That capability to process emotions and move forward will serve him well,” he added.
Suryavanshi got his opportunity in the IPL after regular captain Sanju Samson was sidelined due to an abdominal strain. RR’s spin bowling coach Sairaj Bahutule expressed satisfaction with Suryavanshi’s performance during his debut.
“It was crucial to provide him with the chance to debut when the opportunity arose. He had been performing well in the nets; his preparation was commendable, and of course, we missed Sanju. He capitalized on this chance effectively. I consider him a fantastic young talent with an excellent mindset,” Bahutule commented.
“He possesses a game that seems almost 360 degrees. He’s daring and bold—you could see that in his approach. Even at such a young age, he exhibits dominance. He aims to play his shots without being overly concerned about his opponents. His philosophy is simple: watch the ball and hit the ball,” he concluded.
