Sanju Samson Hails Vaibhav Suryavanshi As IPL’s Youngest Signing, Predicts ‘Big Future’

March 12, 2025: Rajasthan Royals (RR) captain Sanju Samson has expressed great confidence in the youngest signing in the history of the Indian Premier League (IPL), Vaibhav Suryavanshi, who was picked up by the franchise during the IPL mega-auction last year for Rs 1.1 crore. At just 13 years old, Suryavanshi has made history as the youngest player to join the league, sparking significant excitement and anticipation around his potential.

Born on March 27, 2011, in Bihar, Vaibhav has already demonstrated his immense talent on the cricket field. He made his first-class debut for Bihar in January 2024, at the age of just 12 years and 284 days, showcasing his exceptional maturity at such a young age. Furthermore, he impressed everyone with his batting skills when he played for the India Under-19 team in a match against Australia in Chennai, where he smashed a remarkable 58-ball century. His performance in the ACC Under 19 Asia Cup 2024-25 also caught the eye, finishing as the seventh-highest run-scorer with 176 runs in five matches, including a knock of 76*.

In an interview with JioHotstar as part of the ‘SuperStar’ program, RR captain Sanju Samson praised Vaibhav’s natural confidence and explosive power-hitting ability. “For me, rather than giving advice, I prefer observing first—how a youngster wants to play his cricket, what he likes, and what kind of support he needs from me. Then, I work my way around that. Vaibhav looks very confident; he was hitting sixes out of the ground at the academy. People were already talking about his power-hitting. What else can you ask for? It is all about understanding his strengths, backing him, and being there for him like an elder brother,” said Samson.

Samson also highlighted the importance of creating a positive and relaxed environment for young players like Vaibhav. He believes that RR’s nurturing atmosphere will help Suryavanshi perform to his potential. “The key is to keep him in the best shape and provide a relaxed environment, which is something Rajasthan Royals is known for. We ensure a positive atmosphere in the dressing room and back our players,” said Samson. He further added, “You never know—he might end up playing for India in a couple of years. I feel he is ready for the IPL. He looks capable of landing a few solid punches here and there. Let us see what the future holds.”

Vaibhav’s IPL journey with Rajasthan Royals is being closely watched by fans and cricket experts alike, with many eager to see if he can live up to the hype surrounding his talent. RR’s IPL 2025 campaign will kick off against last year’s finalists, Sunrisers Hyderabad, at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad on March 23. With the team’s focus on nurturing young talent, Vaibhav Suryavanshi could be one of the future stars of the IPL in the coming years.