Indian cricket fans are buzzing with excitement—Vaibhav Suryavanshi, the prodigious teenage sensation, has been named vice-captain of Bihar’s Ranji Trophy squad for the 2025-26 season. At just 14 years and 23 days old, Suryavanshi’s meteoric rise through the ranks is rewriting the record books and capturing imaginations across the country. With the Plate League campaign set to kick off on October 15 in Patna, all eyes are on the young dynamo as he prepares to deputise for captain Sakibul Gani and steer Bihar into a new era.
But how did a boy who made his first-class debut at the astonishing age of 12 become one of the most talked-about names in Indian cricket? Let’s rewind to January 2024, when Suryavanshi etched his name into the annals of cricket history by joining a select group—just nine players have ever debuted in first-class cricket at such a young age. His journey since has been a whirlwind of record-breaking performances, high-profile tournaments, and a maturity on the field that belies his age.
Suryavanshi’s breakout year truly began with the IPL 2025 auction, when Rajasthan Royals snapped him up for a cool 1.1 crore rupees. This made him the youngest player ever to land an IPL contract, and the cricketing world took notice. In his debut match against Lucknow SuperGiants, he didn’t flinch under pressure, smashing 34 runs off 20 balls. The next match saw a modest 16 off 12 balls, but it was against Gujarat Titans that Suryavanshi exploded onto the scene—blasting 101 runs off just 38 balls. That innings made him the youngest player to score an IPL century, and he finished the season with 252 runs in 7 matches at an average of 36.
According to ESPNcricinfo, “In April, he had become the youngest IPL debutant at 14 years and 23 days. Later that same season, he went on to score a 35-ball hundred, the second-fastest in IPL history.” That’s the kind of record that has fans and pundits alike shaking their heads in disbelief!
After the IPL, Suryavanshi’s cricketing odyssey continued with the India Under-19 team’s tour of England. The first Youth ODI didn’t go his way, but he bounced back with 48 runs off 19 balls in the second match, and then a blistering 86 off 31 in the third. By the end of the five-match Youth ODI series, he had amassed 355 runs at a staggering average of 71. The Youth Tests that followed saw Suryavanshi notch a half-century in the first match, and though he faltered in the second, the tour was widely seen as a launchpad for his burgeoning career.
July brought another historic feat. On the England tour, Suryavanshi hammered a 78-ball 143—setting the record for the fastest century in Youth ODI history. As ESPNcricinfo put it, “Suryavanshi starred with the bat on India U19’s tour of England, hitting a 78-ball 143 – the fastest century in Youth ODI history.”
There was barely time to catch his breath before Suryavanshi was on a plane to Australia with the U19 squad. The Indian youngsters swept the three-match Youth ODI series 3-0, with Suryavanshi scoring 124 runs at an average of 41.33 and a strike rate of 112.72. In the second ODI, he notched 70 runs off 68 balls, helping India post a formidable total of 300. Not content to rest, Suryavanshi then dominated the Youth Test series, beginning with a 78-ball century—113 runs off just 86 balls, peppered with 9 fours and 8 sixes. His exploits made him India’s second-highest run-getter as they clinched a 2-0 series victory.
“He began the subsequent Youth Test series with a 78-ball century and went on to become India’s second-highest run-getter in their 2-0 victory,” reported ESPNcricinfo, underscoring just how integral Suryavanshi was to the team’s success Down Under.
Back home, Bihar’s Ranji Trophy fortunes were in dire need of a turnaround. The 2024-25 season had been a nightmare, with the team losing six out of seven matches and languishing in the Plate League. The appointment of Suryavanshi as vice-captain ahead of the new season signals a bold new chapter. He’ll be supporting captain Sakibul Gani as Bihar kicks off its campaign against Arunachal Pradesh on October 15 in Patna. The team—and its fans—are hoping that Suryavanshi’s fearless approach and knack for big moments will help reverse their fortunes.
He’s not the only young gun making headlines. Delhi opener Priyansh Arya, fresh off a stellar IPL debut season with Punjab Kings, has earned his maiden Ranji Trophy call-up after scoring 475 runs and helping his side finish runners-up. Meanwhile, Prithvi Shaw has switched from Mumbai to Maharashtra, and Punjab have named Naman Dhir as their new captain. Dhir, a 25-year-old batting all-rounder, was part of Punjab’s Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy-winning side and has represented Mumbai Indians in 23 IPL matches. Mumbai’s T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav, however, will miss their campaign opener against Jammu and Kashmir due to unconfirmed availability—a move clarified by Mumbai Cricket Association secretary Abhay Hadap, who stated that Yadav wasn’t dropped but simply hadn’t confirmed his participation.
For Suryavanshi, the vice-captaincy is both a reward for his remarkable achievements and a challenge to prove his mettle in the longer format of the game. Last season, he featured in only five matches for Bihar, but now, with the vice-captain’s armband, he’s expected to play a pivotal role in shaping the team’s strategy and morale. The pressure is on, but if his recent form is any indication, Suryavanshi is more than ready to rise to the occasion.
As the Ranji Trophy season dawns, the spotlight will burn brightest on Patna, where a 14-year-old vice-captain looks to inspire his team and continue his record-breaking journey. Will Bihar’s faith in youth pay off? Cricket lovers across India can hardly wait to find out.
With the Plate League campaign about to begin and a slew of young stars ready to make their mark, the 2025-26 Ranji Trophy promises to be one of the most exciting in recent memory. For Vaibhav Suryavanshi, the adventure is just beginning—and if history is any guide, he’s set to dazzle once again.