New Delhi: Hard work and sacrifices bring great reward. Ask Sanjiv Suryavanshi, and he will attest to this statement. Sanjiv, father of Vaibhav Suryavanshi—the 14-year-old Bihar kid who became the youngest IPL centurion on Monday in Jaipur – has played a big role in his son’s journey to stardom.
Sanjiv has left no stone unturned in giving his son everything to pursue the cricketing dream, even if it meant sacrificing his farmland, a major source of pride and a way of life for many Indians.
Putting the source of livelihood on the line must have been a difficult decision for Sanjiv, but he was willing to risk everything to realise his son’s dream.
From Bihar farmland to IPL stardom: Vaibhav Suryavanshi’s rise
Sanjiv, who lost his farmland in pursuit of his son’s cricketing dream, was full of gratitude, revelling in his son’s blitzkrieg that set the IPL ablaze on Monday.
The 14-year-old left-hander scripted history by becoming the youngest centurion in T20 cricket with a 35-ball century for the Rajasthan Royals against Gujarat Titans in Jaipur.
“He has made our village, Bihar and the whole of India proud. We could not be happier and are celebrating. I want to thank the Rajasthan Royals who worked on him extensively in the last three-four months,” said Sanjiv, who hails from Samastipur town, in a video released by the Bihar Cricket Association.
“I want to thank head coach Rahul Dravid and the rest of the support staff for improving Vaibhav’s game. He himself has worked very hard on his game and this hundred is a result of that.
“I also want to thank Bihar cricket chief Rakesh Tiwary for giving Vaibhav an opportunity to represent the state at the senior level at such a young age,” Sanjiv added.
VIDEO | Rajasthan Royals’ newest batting sensation, Vaibhav Suryavanshi, created history on Monday by becoming the youngest batter ever to score an IPL century at just 14 years and 32 days. Here’s what his father, Sanjeev Suryavanshi, said:
“Vaibhav scored a century in just 35… pic.twitter.com/1WHK83N87e
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) April 29, 2025
Vaibhav Suryavanshi’s historic IPL century
Royals acquired Suryavanshi’s services by spending Rs 1.10 crore at the mega auction last year, buying him for four times his base price of Rs 30 lakh.
Before taking IPL by storm, Vaibhav showed glimpses of his brilliance for India U-19s and in first-class cricket, where he made his debut against Mumbai in January 2024.
Suryavanshi was called up for the trials in Nagpur, where Royals batting coach Vikram Rathour was mesmerised by the teenager’s talent.
In a recent interview, Vaibhav spoke about the struggles his family went through for him to pursue his cricketing dream.
“I am what I am because of my parents. My father left his work to support me. My elder brother is taking care of his work, and the household is running with great difficulty. But papa is backing me,” said Suryavanshi.
Vaibhav’s whirlwind knock, which was studded with 11 sixes, helped the Royals chase down 210 runs in 15.5 overs and keep their play-off hopes alive.
(With PTI Inputs)
Fourteen-year-old Vaibhav Suryavanshi, the youngest IPL centurion, achieved his dream through immense hard work and his family’s sacrifices. Vaibhav’s incredible 35-ball century highlights the dedication and determination required to reach the highest levels of professional sport. This inspiring story showcases the powerful bond between a father and son, and the ultimate reward of perseverance. Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
