Vaibhav Sooryavanshi: Rising Cricket Star Faces Age Questions Amid Record-Breaking Performances

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi: The 15-Year-Old Prodigy Making History

Named IPL MVP, he has smashed records in U19, List A, and T20 cricket—while facing persistent questions about his age.

Awards and Selection

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, whose listed age is 15, was named the Indian Premier League's (IPL) most valuable player after a staggering season with the Rajasthan Royals. He scored 776 runs at a strike rate of 237.30, including 72 sixes. He also received the 'Super Striker' award and a car—though he is not legally permitted to drive until the age of 18.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) named Sooryavanshi to India's senior T20 squad on Saturday. If he debuts, he would become India's youngest-ever international cricketer, surpassing Sachin Tendulkar, who debuted in Test cricket at 16 years and 205 days in 1989. He was not selected for India's ODI squad.

Captaincy Change

In a separate squad announcement, Shreyas Iyer was named India's new T20 captain, replacing Suryakumar Yadav. Iyer will lead the team in two T20 internationals in Ireland, five matches in England, and the Asian Games.

Yadav was removed following a period of poor form. According to AFP, the change was attributed to Yadav's struggles with the bat in both the World Cup and the IPL, where he scored 242 runs in nine innings.

Record-Breaking Performances

Sooryavanshi scored 175 runs off 80 balls in the U19 World Cup final against England, which India won by 100 runs. His innings included 15 sixes and 15 fours.

This set a new record for the highest individual score in an ICC global final, surpassing Alyssa Healy's 170 in the 2022 Women's World Cup final.

He reached his century in 55 balls. India was bowled out for 9-411 in 50 overs; England was bowled out for 311. Sooryavanshi was named Player of the Tournament, finishing with 439 runs at an average of 62.71.

Playing for India A against Sri Lanka A, Sooryavanshi scored 94 off 29 balls. He reached his half-century in 11 balls, breaking the previous fastest List A fifty record of 13 balls held by Thisara Perera.

• 2024 Youth Test against Australia U19: 58-ball century (at age 13)
• IPL: 38-ball century against Gujarat Titans
• IPL (previous year): 101 runs from 38 balls, at the listed age of 14 years and 32 days

Age Controversy

Questions regarding Sooryavanshi's age have persisted from multiple sources. In a 2023 interview, he stated he would turn 14 in September, which would make him approximately 16 currently. Journalist Gideon Haigh reported that in response to an official inquiry, Sooryavanshi stated he was 19.

His father, Sanjiv, has defended his age, stating that his son underwent BCCI bone testing at age eight and that the family is willing to undergo further tests.

Age fabrication is a known issue in Indian junior cricket. Former captain Rahul Dravid commented on the problem in 2015, stating that over-age players can disadvantage honest players.

Public Reactions

Several cricket personalities commented on Sooryavanshi's performances:

• Sachin Tendulkar posted on X: "When you have a Sooryavanshi, a timeless blockbuster is expected! Well done, Vaibhav!"

• Ravichandran Ashwin described his innings as "absurd" and wrote: "Vaibhav has owned the big stage like he’s born for it. A prodigy with serious big match temperament."

• Sourav Ganguly congratulated the team: "The talent in that squad is a result of the domestic cricket system this country has.. just phenomenal."

• Virat Kohli added: "Congratulations to the U-19 Indian team for lifting the World Cup once again. Our domination in the age group cricket and beyond continues."