A 13-year-old cricket prodigy has become the youngest player to get an Indian Premier League contract in a deal worth over £100,000.
Vaibhav Suryavanshi, a supremely talented left-handed batter, fetched 1.1 core (£105,000) at the IPL auction after being signed by Rajasthan Royals, the team coached by India legend Rahul Dravid.
Delhi Capitals also made offers for the teenager but Rajasthan secured his signature following a bidding war.
Suryavanshi scored a 58-ball century for India U19 in a youth Test match against Australia last month and made his first-class debut for Bihar in the Ranji Trophy in January.
That was a new record and saw Suryavanshi enter first-class cricket three years earlier than the likes of former greats Sachin Tendulkar and Yuvraj Singh.
Suryavanshi also scored an unbeaten 332 in an U19 tournament in Bihar.
Explaining the purchase, Rajasthan Royals head coach Dravid said: ‘I think he’s got some really good skills, so we thought it might be a good environment for him to grow in.
‘Vaibhav just came to our trials and we were really happy with what he saw.’
The team’s CEO Jake Lush McCrum added: ‘He’s an incredible talent and, of course, you got to have the confidence so he can step up to the IPL level.’
Rajasthan Royals owner Manoj Badale, meanwhile, said of the auction: ‘Rahul and the entire team have put in an incredible amount of effort in preparation for these two days.
‘Having executed that vision and planning, I’m really excited for the upcoming season. We had our targets in mind and have been able to secure most of them.
‘We believe we’ve been able to assemble a squad that will be competitive this season and will give our fans plenty of reasons to be proud of us.’
Former India star Irfan Pathan said Suryavanshi’s parents must be proud to see their young son attract interest from multiple IPL teams.
‘How proud Vaibhav Suryavanshi’s parents must be,’ he posted on X. ‘At such a young age, IPL teams are eager to have him play for their franchises.’
Cricket writer Bharat Sundaresan added: ‘Amazing news about Vaibhav Suryavanshi being picked up by Rajastahn Royals in the IPL for Rs 1.1 crore.
‘I don’t think I knew how many zeroes there were in a crore at 13 years of age. Don’t think I’m sure even now.’
The 2025 Indian Premier League features 74 matches and runs from March 14 to May 25.
Kolkata Knight Riders are the defending champions after winning their third title last year.
The other teams involved are Chennai Super Kings, Mumbai Indians, Sunrisers Hyderabad, Delhi Capitals, Gujarat Titans, Lucknow Super Giants, Punjab Kings, Royal Challengers Bangalore and Rajasthan Royals.
While 13-year-old Suryavanshi secured a potentially life-changing deal, England legend James Anderson went unsold after surprisingly entering the auction following his retirement from Test cricket.
Sam Curran, Jamie Overton, Will Jacks, Jacob Bethell, Bryson Carse, Moeen Ali, Jofra Archer, Phil Salt, Harry Brook and Jos Buttler were among the England players to be picked up.
Jonny Bairstow and Ben Duckett were unsold, however, along with Australian duo Steve Smith and David Warner.
India wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant became the most expensive signing in history after going to Lucknow Super Giants for £2.54m.
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