Kumar Sangakkara, Rajasthan Royals’ director of cricket, has disclosed how the team discovered young batting sensation Vaibhav Suryavanshi in 2023 when he was just 11 years old, two years before signing him. Suryavanshi later made history as the youngest player in IPL history when he replaced injured Sanju Samson in 2025, scoring 252 runs in seven innings with a strike rate exceeding 200, including a record-breaking 35-ball century against Gujarat Titans. The Sri Lankan cricket legend first witnessed Suryavanshi’s batting prowess during the Rajasthan Royals camp, where the young talent faced international bowlers like Jofra Archer with remarkable ease. “Suryavanshi has already shown himself to be a very special talent,” Sangakkara told Sky Sports. “In 2023, one of the Rajasthan Royals analysts sent through a text saying there’s a very special player we need to watch, get to trials, and look to sign. And the first time I saw him live was after we had signed him, apart from watching some videos of him batting in the nets in Guwahati, batting against Jofra Archer and other seamers that we had. And he made it look very, very easy.” The Bihar teenager’s batting technique and natural ability left a lasting impression on Sangakkara, who noted the distinctive sound of his bat striking the ball and his efficient movement at the crease. “He had a lot of time, the sound of his bat was like a gunshot every single time he contacted the ball. His bat swing is lovely. It’s nice and wide outside the stump and it’s very free flowing. He’s got a lot of time. His movements are very, very simple and minimal and he’s very enthusiastic about developing his shot repertoire and all the shots that you can want in a T20 batter. This is just a start for him to become even better and hopefully very, very special,” Sangakkara elaborated.
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Suryavanshi’s IPL debut season in 2025 demonstrated his exceptional batting capabilities, as he maintained a strike rate of over 200 across seven innings. His century against Gujarat Titans, achieved in just 35 balls, established him as a formidable force in the tournament and highlighted his potential as a future cricket star. The young batsman’s rapid rise has earned him a regular place in India’s Under-19 teams, where he continues to develop his skills while competing in England. Suryavanshi’s journey from being spotted at age 11 to becoming the youngest IPL player and establishing himself as a consistent performer for Rajasthan Royals represents a remarkable trajectory in Indian cricket. His current involvement with the India Under-19 teams suggests a promising future ahead, as he continues to build on his early success in professional cricket. The Rajasthan Royals’ early identification and nurturing of Suryavanshi’s talent demonstrates the team’s commitment to developing young cricketers and their ability to spot exceptional talent at an early age.
