At merely 14 years of age, Vaibhav Suryawanshi has stirred a unique excitement in Indian cricket. His performances in junior and domestic circuits have surprised everyone. What sets him apart is that his recognition stems not from hype or publicity, but from his consistent run-making and match-winning capabilities. At such a young age, he has showcased his understanding of the game, his fearlessness in taking risks, and his ability to impact the match, regardless of the conditions.
Making his debut on the big stage in the last IPL season, Vaibhav made his intentions clear the moment he picked up the bat. His performances in England, Australia, and South Africa at the Under-19 level have become talk of the town. Playing across different pitches and conditions, he has repeatedly shown that he can effortlessly lift the ball in the air, play long shots, and accelerate the scoring rate swiftly. This has made him the new benchmark in Under-19 cricket.
What stands out in his batting is his ability to instantly influence the match. Scoring runs immediately upon entering the field, finding gaps, hitting boundaries, and transferring pressure onto the opposition are traits he has mastered at a very young age. His game shows neither hesitation nor any impact of age. Perhaps, this is why wherever he plays, his impact is clearly visible without any signs of decline.
The future is now clear - the Under-19 World Cup lies ahead, followed by the entire IPL season with the Rajasthan Royals. With these major tournaments looming, expectations around Vaibhav Suryawanshi naturally rise. The cricketing world is eager to see how this young batsman fares under pressure, responsibility, and on big platforms.
This remarkable consistency has also impressed experienced Indian spinner Ravichandran Ashwin. Ashwin shared Vaibhav's scores from the past 30 days on X (formerly Twitter) - 171(95), 50(26), 190(84), 68(24), 108*(61), 46(25), and 127(74). Seeing these figures, Ashwin wrote, 'What this kid is doing at 14, words cannot describe.'. A reaction from a senior Indian team player about a 14-year-old's batting speaks volumes about Vaibhav being not just a topic of discussion but a serious prospect.
Ashwin further mentioned that the next four months will be a significant test for Vaibhav's career - first the Under-19 World Cup, followed by the entire IPL season, where he might have to take the field as an opener. This period will examine his temperament, hunger, and character, and the entire cricket fraternity is eager to watch.
