Meet the Former Ranji Player who Coached 13-Year-Old IPL Sensation Vaibhav Suryavanshi

New Delhi: Vaibhav Suryavanshi, at just 13 years old, made history by becoming the youngest player to secure an IPL contract. The Rajasthan Royals emerged victorious in an intense bidding war at the auction in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, signing the young talent. He will now have the opportunity to train under the mentorship of former Team India legend Rahul Dravid, who has taken on the role of head coach for the Royals, following Kumar Sangakkara.

Suryavanshi, a promising talent from Bihar, made his first-class debut at the remarkable age of 12. Despite having played just five first-class matches and one T20, he has already accumulated 100 runs in red-ball cricket, with a top score of 41. His journey began at home, where his father, Sanjeev, recognized his passion for cricket and built a playing area in their backyard to nurture his budding talent.

In an interview with The Times of India, Vaibhav Suryavanshi expressed immense gratitude to his coach, Manish Ojha, a former Ranji player, for playing a pivotal role in shaping his cricketing journey and development as a player.

“After practising for two-and-a-half years there, I gave Under-16 trials for the Vijay Merchant Trophy. I was on standby due to my age. By God’s grace, I started coaching under Manish Ojha sir, a former Ranji player. He has taught me a lot and whatever I am today, it is because of him

Vaibhav’s cricketing journey started in extraordinary fashion when he made his Ranji Trophy debut at the tender age of 12, representing Bihar. This achievement not only showcased his immense talent but also set a new benchmark, surpassing records previously held by Indian greats like Sachin Tendulkar and Yuvraj Singh, earning him a place among the youngest players in the history of India’s first-class cricket.

In the 2024 season, Vaibhav featured in two first-class matches for Bihar, facing strong teams like Mumbai and Chhattisgarh. While he scored 31 runs across the matches, his early debut at such a young age highlights his immense talent and the promising potential he holds for further growth in the sport.

Before making his Ranji Trophy debut, Vaibhav had already made a mark in age-group cricket. He excelled in the Quadrangular Under-19 series for India B, scoring 177 runs in six innings, including two half-centuries. His impressive performances under pressure earned him recognition as one of the standout players of the tournament.

Another notable milestone in Vaibhav’s career came during the Vinod Mankad Trophy, where he scored 393 runs in five matches, with an impressive average of 78.60. His exceptional performance placed him among the top run-scorers of the tournament, solidifying his reputation as one of the brightest young talents in Indian cricket.