Vaibhav Suryavanshi’s Struggling Story Shared by His Childhood Coach

In a thrilling IPL 2025 contest between Rajasthan Royals (RR) and Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) on April 19, the spotlight was unexpectedly stolen by a young sensation — Vaibhav Suryavanshi, who made his debut at just 14 years old, becoming the youngest-ever player to debut in IPL history.

Coming in as a batting Impact Player during RR’s run-chase of 181, Suryavanshi played a short but electric cameo, scoring 34 off 20 balls with a dazzling strike rate of 170.00. He smashed 2 fours and 3 sixes, signaling that he belongs on this massive stage. While RR lost the match narrowly by just two runs, the headlines were all about their teenage wonder.

Vaibhav Suryavanshi – A Star in the Making?

Suryavanshi‘s appearance wasn’t a fluke. With Sanju Samson sidelined due to injury, the Royals turned to youth — and what a decision that turned out to be. Placed right at the top of the order as an opener, the young batter showed composure, confidence, and timing far beyond his years.

What makes his debut even more intriguing is that he’s still a school-going student. Balancing textbooks and cricket bats isn’t easy, but Vaibhav seems ready to chase greatness. His performances in domestic cricket and for India’s U-19 squad had already marked him as a player to watch, and his IPL debut just confirmed that.

‘This Child Has Faced Challenges Since Childhood’ – Coach’s Emotional Take

Speaking to OneIndia Hindi, Brajesh Jha, Vaibhav’s childhood coach, gave insight into the tough journey behind the young cricketer’s rise.

“This child has faced challenges since childhood. Reaching this point took great effort. It’s heartening to see him perform well in his debut match, and we are hopeful for an even brighter future,” Jha said.

Vaibhav’s early life was reportedly filled with financial and personal hurdles. But his cricketing discipline, combined with family support and relentless training, turned those struggles into stepping stones.

“He always had a natural rhythm in his batting,” Jha added, noting that Vaibhav’s skill wasn’t always apparent instantly, but it matured beautifully with time.

A Proven Performer at U-19 Level

Before joining RR’s main squad, Vaibhav had already made waves in the 2024 ACC U-19 Asia Cup, helping India reach the finals. One of his standout moments was the 67 runs off 36 balls against Sri Lanka in the semi-finals — an innings filled with crisp strokes and fearless intent.

The IPL, however, is a different beast. Yet, Vaibhav handled the pressure with the calm of a seasoned pro.