NEW DELHI: “Chase your dreams, they will come true.”Those famous words of Sachin Tendulkar perfectly captured the moment when 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi stood with a smile on his face after receiving his India cap from Tilak Varma just ahead of the second T20I against England at the Old Trafford Stadium in Manchester. For a boy from the small village of Tajpur in Bihar’s Samastipur district, it was the reward for years of sacrifice, hard work and remarkable achievements.On Saturday, Sooryavanshi became the youngest player ever to represent India, breaking the long-standing record held by Sachin Tendulkar, who made his international debut at the age of 16 years and 205 days.
A journey that begins at 12
The rise of Sooryavanshi has been very extraordinary.First in January 2024, he made his first-class debut for Bihar at the age of 12. He became one of the youngest players ever to feature in the Ranji Trophy.Later that year, he represented India in the ACC Under-19 Asia Cup and scored 176 runs in five matches at an average of 44.His biggest breakthrough came soon after when he smashed a 58-ball century against Australia in a Youth Test in Chennai. That innings heralded him as one of India’s brightest young talents.
The youngest IPL signing
The performances did not go unnoticed.At just 13, Rajasthan Royals signed Sooryavanshi for Rs 1.10 crore at the IPL auction, making him the youngest player in the tournament’s history to earn an IPL contract.When he finally made his IPL debut against Lucknow Super Giants at the age of 14 years and 23 days, he showed no signs of nerves. His first ball in the league went for a six off Shardul Thakur.Nine days later, he rewrote the record books again by smashing a breathtaking 35-ball century against Gujarat Titans to become the youngest centurion in IPL history. The knock was just five balls slower than Chris Gayle’s IPL fastest.
The IPL season that changed everything
After scoring 252 runs in his first IPL season in 2025, Sooryavanshi came back even stronger in IPL 2026 where he scored 776 runs in 16 matches at a strike rate of over 230. He also scored 72 sixes, breaking Chris Gayle’s record for most sixes in a single IPL season.His incredible campaign helped Rajasthan Royals reach the playoffs and earned him three of the biggest individual honors – the Orange Cap, the Most Valuable Player award and the Emerging Player award. He became the first player in IPL history to win all three in the same season.
Success in India A and Under-19 cricket
The IPL heroics earned Sooryavanshi a place in the India A squad for the tri-series.He scored 211 runs in five matches at an average of 42.20 and an outstanding strike rate of 200.95. In the final, he blasted 94 off just 29 balls to help India lift the trophy with a convincing 66-run victory.Even before her record-breaking IPL season, Sooryavanshi had already proven herself on the international stage.In February, he featured in India’s title triumph over England in the final of the ICC Under-19 World Cup. His explosive 175 off just 80 balls took India to a 100-run victory. He was also awarded the Player of the Series.
A father’s dream
Behind every milestone in Sooryavanshi’s career has been the unwavering support of his father, Sanjeev Sooryavanshi.Born on March 27, 2011 – the same year India won the ODI World Cup under MS Dhoni – Vaibhav showed signs of his talent at a very young age.When he was only four years old, Sanjeev noticed the power with which his son hit a plastic ball. After returning from work in the fields, he would spend hours bowling underarm to Vaibhav and help him practice.Soon, he built a small practice area behind his house so that his son could train every day.Recognizing Vaibhav’s passion, Sanjeev took him to coach Brajesh Jha in Samastipur. Later, father and son started making regular trips to Patna, where coach Manish Ojha played a key role in shaping the young man’s game.The 90 kilometer journey from Samastipur to Patna was demanding, but Sanjeev never let that become an excuse. He bought a car and drove his son to the academy on alternate days so that the training never stops.Be it the Heman Trophy, the Vinoo Mankad Trophy, the Challengers Trophy, the ACC Under-19 Asia Cup, the IPL or the Under-19 World Cup, Sooryavanshi kept clearing one hurdle after another.On Saturday in Manchester, he crossed the biggest stage of his career. The boy who once practiced in his backyard has finally walked onto the pitch wearing the India jersey – turning a childhood dream into reality.