The cricketing world is still buzzing about the sensational emergence of Vaibhav Suryavanshi in the 2025 IPL season. The 14-year-old, who was picked up by the Rajasthan Royals for a hefty sum of ₹1.1 crore, not only made his debut but also shattered records, leaving seasoned players and fans alike in utter disbelief. Among those captivated by Suryavanshi's talent is England's Jos Buttler, himself a legend of the game.
Buttler's admiration for the young prodigy is no secret. He has been vocal in his praise, even going so far as to compare Suryavanshi's bat swing to that of legends like Brian Lara and Yuvraj Singh. Speaking on a podcast with Stuart Broad, Buttler reminisced about the moment he truly understood the magnitude of Suryavanshi's talent. While the youngster's explosive 35-ball century against Gujarat Titans was undoubtedly remarkable, it was Suryavanshi's composed innings against Chennai Super Kings that truly cemented Buttler's awe.
"I was watching on TV. And, you know, Chennai have Ravi Ashwin, Jadeja — proper seasoned pros," Buttler explained. "But Suryavanshi went bang! And then he knocked one out to cover, like 'I'm so in control, I'll just take one now'. At that moment, I thought this guy is the best player I've ever seen. I was so blown away."
Suryavanshi's journey in the IPL 2025 was nothing short of a fairytale. After being acquired by the Rajasthan Royals in the mega-auction, he immediately grabbed attention. He announced himself to the world by hitting his first ball in the IPL for a six. However, it was his second game against Gujarat Titans that truly launched him into stardom. Suryavanshi blazed his way to a century in just 35 balls, becoming the youngest centurion in IPL history. This remarkable feat not only broke records but also turned heads across the globe.
Buttler, who was behind the stumps for Gujarat Titans during that game, had a first-hand view of Suryavanshi's carnage. "The innings against us — you know, our bowling attack consists of Mohammed Siraj, a brilliant international bowler, Prasidh Krishna, an international bowler, Rashid Khan, the best T20 bowler — and he just… the scale of the sixes," Buttler recalled. "They weren't just clearing the boundary — they were big sixes. I mean, you're literally a yard from him. Big sixes. And a 35-ball 100 — it was outrageous."
Suryavanshi ended his maiden IPL season with 252 runs from seven games, maintaining a staggering strike rate of over 200. Beyond the numbers, it was his fearless approach and ability to dominate world-class bowlers that truly set him apart.
However, Suryavanshi's meteoric rise hasn't been without its challenges. Following his IPL success, concerns arose regarding his weight gain. His father, Sanjeev Suryavanshi, revealed that Vaibhav is now on a balanced diet and gym routine to address the issue.
Adding to the complexities, allegations of age fraud have also surfaced. These allegations were refuted by his father, who stated that Vaibhav has undergone bone tests in the past and is open to further testing. The BCCI has since implemented stricter measures to combat age fraud, including additional bone tests at the junior level.
Despite the controversies, Vaibhav Suryavanshi remains focused on his cricket. He is currently training with the India Under-19 team in the UK, guided by the likes of Rahul Dravid. Dravid, the Rajasthan Royals coach, has been a constant source of support and guidance for the young player, advising him to stay grounded and focus on continuous improvement. Suryavanshi's journey is far from over, and the cricketing world eagerly anticipates his future endeavors.
