In a ground-breaking moment at the 2025 IPL Mega Auction in Jeddah, 13-year-old Vaibhav Suryavanshi made history as the youngest player ever purchased, securing an INR 1.10 crore deal with the Rajasthan Royals. However, the celebration of this remarkable milestone has been overshadowed by allegations of age fraud.
As news of Vaibhav Suryavanshi’s record-breaking deal spread, accusations surfaced, suggesting that the young cricketer is 15 years old, not 13. Social media buzzed with criticism, calling for the IPL and BCCI to investigate the claims. A viral tweet alleged, “Vaibhav Suryavanshi is 15 years old, not 13. The IPL and BCCI must take action against his parents.”
Vaibhav’s father, Sanjiv Suryavanshi, quickly addressed the allegations, defending his son’s credentials. Speaking to an Indian channel, he stated,
When Vaibhav was 8 and a half, he passed a BCCI bone test. He has already played for India U-19. We have nothing to hide and are open to further testing.
Born on March 27, 2011, in Tajpur village, Bihar, Vaibhav Suryavanshi began playing cricket at nine. His meteoric rise has been fuelled by a string of achievements. He made his first-class debut for Bihar in January 2024 at just 12 years and 384 days old, becoming the fourth-youngest player in Ranji Trophy history. Over five matches, he amassed 100 runs at a strike rate of 63.29.
Vaibhav’s stellar performances continued in September when he scored a 58-ball century during the first Youth Test against Australia, making him the youngest-ever international centurion at the U-19 level.
With a base price of INR 30 lakh, Vaibhav entered the IPL auction as one of the most exciting prospects, eventually fetching over 1 crore. His journey now takes him to Rajasthan Royals, where he will train under the guidance of Rahul Dravid.
Vaibhav’s next assignment is the U-19 Asia Cup, scheduled to take place in the UAE from November 29 to December 8. Amid the controversy, his talent and potential remain undeniable as he prepares to make his mark in the IPL.