April 12, 2025: 14-year-old Vaibhav Suryavanshi, the youngest player ever to play in the Indian Premier League (IPL), was seen going head-to-head against England’s fiery pacer Jofra Archer in the nets ahead of Rajasthan Royals’ (RR) upcoming clash against Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) on Sunday in Jaipur.
In a video posted by RR on their official social media handles, Archer was seen testing the young batter’s skills with his pace, accuracy, and varying lengths. Despite the intensity of the challenge, Suryavanshi showed great composure, ducking when needed and also responding with shots, handling the pressure well in the face of one of the fastest bowlers in world cricket.
Although Suryavanshi is yet to make his IPL debut, the video highlighted the promising talent of the young batter. He had previously made waves when Rajasthan Royals secured his services for Rs 1.1 crore at the IPL mega-auction last year, making him one of the most exciting young prospects in the tournament. Born in Bihar on March 27, 2011, he has already created history as the youngest player in the IPL, making his first-class debut for Bihar at just 12 years and 284 days old in January 2024.
Suryavanshi had also impressed during India U19’s match against Australia in Chennai, where he scored a brilliant 58-ball century. Moreover, in the ACC Under 19 Asia Cup 2024-25, he was one of the standout performers, scoring 176 runs in five matches, with a top score of an unbeaten 76. He also made his T20 debut for Bihar in the SMAT 2024 tournament, showcasing his potential despite a short outing.
As for the RR vs RCB clash, it will be Rajasthan Royals’ first match at their primary home venue, Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur. Currently, RR sits at seventh in the standings with two wins and three losses from five matches. Their most recent encounter ended in a defeat against Gujarat Titans.
RCB, on the other hand, is in a strong position at fourth, with three wins and two losses, accumulating six points. Their last match was a loss to Delhi Capitals in Bengaluru, and they will be looking to bounce back against Rajasthan.
While Suryavanshi’s IPL debut might still be on the horizon, his preparation alongside seasoned professionals like Jofra Archer indicates his readiness to take on the big stage when the opportunity arises. For Rajasthan Royals, the young prospect is one to watch as the team continues their campaign in IPL 2025.