How Vaibhav Suryavanshi became an IPL sensation at just 14
- Team TOI
- TNNUpdated: Apr 30, 2025, 17:36 IST IST
The teen from Bihar rose rapidly through domestic cricket and made it to the IPL. After dramatically becoming the youngest centurion in the tournament, hopes are high for him
A few years ago, the Bihar Cricket Association (BCA) faced an unusual predicament. A 12-year-old boy from Samastipur was emerging as a prodigious talent, but he couldn’t be played in the Bihar Under-16 team due to BCCI rules introduced during the Covid era. The rules required players to be 14 years or older to qualify for the Under-16 level.
“I saw him for the first time when he was just 11 or 12 at the Gen Next Academy in Patna, where he was training under Manish Ojha, a former Bihar player. Due to the rules, we couldn’t pick him. Interestingly, those rules didn’t restrict him from playing for the Under-19s. We approached BCA president Rakesh Tiwary and he told us, ‘If you’re convinced about his talent and future, go ahead and pick him, but just take care of him,’” said Ashok Kumar, head coach of Bihar’s senior team and former coach of the U-19 and U-23 sides.
“I saw him for the first time when he was just 11 or 12 at the Gen Next Academy in Patna, where he was training under Manish Ojha, a former Bihar player. Due to the rules, we couldn’t pick him. Interestingly, those rules didn’t restrict him from playing for the Under-19s. We approached BCA president Rakesh Tiwary and he told us, ‘If you’re convinced about his talent and future, go ahead and pick him, but just take care of him,’” said Ashok Kumar, head coach of Bihar’s senior team and former coach of the U-19 and U-23 sides.