NEW DELHI: In a rare and heartening sight, 14-year-old batting prodigy Vaibhav Suryavanshi confidently took on England pacer Jofra Archer in the Rajasthan Royals' nets session ahead of their Indian Premier League 2025 clash against Royal Challengers Bengaluru in Jaipur on Sunday.
Rajasthan Royals shared a video of the face-off on their official X handle, showing Archer steaming in with pace and precision, but the teenage sensation stood his ground. Vaibhav displayed remarkable composure — ducking bouncers, judging line and length swiftly, and even playing a few crisp strokes, unfazed by Archer’s reputation or speed.
Though yet to debut in the IPL, Vaibhav is already making waves. Picked for Rs 1.1 crore in the last mega-auction, the Bihar-born right-hander is the youngest player in IPL history. Vaibhav made his first-class debut for Bihar at just 12 years and 284 days and turned heads with a blistering 58-ball century for India U19 against Australia in Chennai last year.
Archer, with five wickets in five games this season, was a stern challenge in the nets. But for Vaibhav, the session was another step in his rapid rise. The young batter faced Archer in the nets with a fearless attitude, hitting cuts, pulls, and other shots, managing to rattle the experienced pacer.
In a remarkable display, Archer was able to beat the left-hander just once during the session. The best shot played by Suryavanshi was a pickup shot off his pads, showcasing his potential against one of the fastest bowlers in the game.
Rajasthan Royals coach Rahul Dravid has expressed confidence in Vaibhav, emphasizing the importance of timing his exposure to the high-pressure environment of the IPL. Despite not having debuted yet, the team is carefully grooming him, and many fans are eager to see him take the field.
South Africa spinner Tabraiz Shamsi commented on the situation, praising the IPL for its role in developing young talents like Suryavanshi. He remarked, "A 13-year-old facing Jofra in the nets! You think he’s gonna be worried if he plays for India and has to face quick bowlers in international cricket? The IPL has done wonders for Indian cricket, but it didn’t happen overnight. The @SA20_League is going to do the same for SA in the future."
As the IPL season progresses, the Rajasthan Royals find themselves in a challenging position, currently sitting in seventh place on the points table with only four points from five matches. They suffered a defeat in their previous fixture against the Gujarat Titans, which adds pressure to the upcoming match against Royal Challengers Bengaluru.
The Royals will be looking to return to winning ways, and with the anticipation building around Vaibhav’s potential debut, fans are hopeful for a thrilling performance. The match against RCB at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur promises to be an exciting encounter, especially with the buzz surrounding the young prodigy.
In the first three fixtures of the 18th edition of the IPL, the Royals were led by Riyan Parag as Sanju Samson did not receive clearance to perform wicketkeeping duties. However, after receiving confirmation from the National Cricket Academy in Bengaluru, Samson returned as captain, ready to lead his team against their rivals.
As the IPL 2025 season unfolds, all eyes will be on Vaibhav Suryavanshi, whose fearless approach in the nets against Jofra Archer has set the stage for what could be a historic debut. The excitement surrounding this young talent is palpable, and fans are eagerly awaiting the moment he steps onto the field in the IPL.
