The meteoric rise of Vaibhav Suryavanshi, the young cricketer from Bihar, has been accompanied by a swirl of controversy surrounding his age. After being picked up by Rajasthan Royals (RR) for a staggering ₹1.1 crore in the IPL 2025 auction, Suryavanshi, who is officially listed as 14 years old, has faced accusations of age fraud, with some suggesting he may be older than claimed. The debate intensified after his record-breaking performances, including a 35-ball century against Gujarat Titans.
Doubts about Suryavanshi's age surfaced soon after his explosive entry into the IPL. A viral video showed a local acquaintance claiming that Suryavanshi was actually 16 years old. Fueling the fire, former Pakistani cricketer Junaid Khan questioned whether a 13-year-old could possess such power-hitting abilities after Suryavanshi’s impressive performance in the U-19 Asia Cup. Khan posted a clip of Suryavanshi's innings on social media, asking, "Can a 13-year-old kid really hit such a long six?".
Adding to the controversy, a viral image from 2017 resurfaced, showing a young Suryavanshi supporting Rising Pune Supergiants, leading some to doubt if he could truly be 14 years old in 2025. Social media has been rife with discussions, with some users pointing to a past video where Suryavanshi seemingly stated he would turn 14 in September 2023. This sparked further speculation about his actual age.
In response to the allegations, Suryavanshi's father, Sanjiv Suryavanshi, has staunchly defended his son's age. He stated that Vaibhav underwent a BCCI-approved bone test at the age of eight and a half, which confirmed his age. Sanjiv has also expressed openness to further medical rechecks to prove his son's age, asserting, "We are open to any medical recheck. We have never lied". He also mentioned that he had sold his farmland to fund his son's cricketing dream.
Despite the controversy, Suryavanshi's talent remains undeniable. In his debut IPL match against Lucknow Super Giants, he immediately impressed by hitting a six off the first ball. He later scored a blistering century against Gujarat Titans, further cementing his place as a player to watch. His father's determination to support his son's dreams, even through financial sacrifices, adds another layer to the narrative.
The age fraud allegations against Vaibhav Suryavanshi highlight a persistent issue in Indian sports. Experts note that manipulating age can provide unfair advantages, as older players may have physical and emotional maturity over their younger counterparts. While there is no official proof of age manipulation in Suryavanshi's case, the controversy underscores the need for vigilance and robust verification processes in youth sports. Whether Suryavanshi is indeed 14 or older, his explosive performances have undoubtedly made him a player to watch, and the debate surrounding his age is unlikely to fade away soon.
