Back in 2023, during a Men’s U-19 One Day Challenger Trophy match, a young Vaibhav Suryavanshi walked off the field in tears. Representing India B at just 12 years of age, he had scored 34 off 49 balls before being run out—a dismissal that left him visibly distraught. In the dressing room, Vaibhav broke down, grieving over the missed opportunity to turn his promising start into a major innings.
He wasn’t a household name then, but those who followed junior cricket had already begun to take notice. Despite being years younger than many of his opponents, Vaibhav was consistently making an impression with his fearless approach and appetite for runs.
Batting great VVS Laxman, who was present at the match, stepped in with a message of reassurance and perspective. “In one of the games, Vaibhav was run out for 36 (34). So, he started crying in the dressing room. When Laxman saw this, he came to him and said, ‘We don’t only see the runs here. We see people who have the skill for the long run.’ Laxman saw his potential very quickly. The BCCI has backed him too,” revealed Vaibhav’s coach Manoj Ojha in an interview with a sports magazine.
VVS Laxman early recognition of Vaibhav Suryavanshi ability would prove pivotal. Not only did he console the young batter, but he also ensured his talent was noticed by the right people. He recommended Vaibhav to none other than Rahul Dravid, the head coach of Rajasthan Royals. The franchise, trusting the recommendation and the promise Vaibhav showed, went on to sign him for ₹1.1 crore at the IPL mega auction.
At the time, many were uncertain whether the teenager would even get a game, given the IPL’s fiercely competitive nature and the presence of elite T20 professionals. Yet fate had its plans. When RR captain Sanju Samson was sidelined with an injury, a spot opened up at the top of the batting order. That’s when the Royals decided to roll the dice on their 14-year-old prodigy, giving Vaibhav the chance to make his debut against Lucknow Super Giants.
It was a moment that marked the beginning of an extraordinary transformation—from a tearful boy in a dressing room to a name etched in IPL history.
