13-Year-Old Vaibhav Suryavanshi Looks READY For IPL: Sanju Samson

Vaibhav Suryavanshi is probably a name that you will hear for decades to come. The 13-year-old, who was bought by Rajasthan Royals (RR), has already made the headlines for his swashbuckling batting prowess. 

Even when he was playing for Bihar’s senior side, the left-hander looked unfazed, smashing sixes for fun, with two of them on debut against Rajasthan. The 13-year-old also played a lone hand, hitting 71 off 42 balls in the Vijay Hazare Trophy clash against Baroda. 

Read: Vaibhav Suryavanshi: How this 13-year-old is putting Bihar on India’s cricket map

Rajasthan Royals’ skipper Sanju Samson has revealed that the 13-year-old looks ready for the upcoming edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL). 

"He [Vaibhav] looks ready. I think it's all about keeping him in the best shape and in a relaxed environment, which RR is known for, and then back him,” Samson told JioStar. 

“You never know, in a couple of years he might end up playing for India as well. I feel that he is ready to play the IPL and ready to give a few punches here and there,” he further adds. 

But when asked what advice the Royals’ skipper would give him, Samson responded, "I don't like to go and give advice.

"My way of approaching a young guy is to sit back and observe what he likes, how he wants to play his cricket and ask him what kind of support he wants from me. And then I work my way around it.

"But he looks very confident. He was sitting sixes out of the ground in the academy. So what else can I do? I think it's all about understanding his strength, backing it and being around as an elder brother.”

Rajasthan Royals open their IPL 2025 campaign against Sunrisers Hyderabad on March 23 (Sunday).