The 2025 IPL introduced fans to one of the most astonishing stories in the tournament's history: Rajasthan Royals' teenage prodigy, Vaibhav Suryavanshi.
At just 14, Suryavanshi became the youngest player ever to feature in the IPL and his fearless batting instantly grabbed headlines.
From smashing a six off his very first ball to scoring the fastest IPL century, the youngster has already made his name. But his fairytale rise has also sparked reactions from within his own camp.
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Nitish Rana jokes about Vaibahv Suryavanshi's age
Speaking at the Delhi Premier League 2025, Nitish Rana was asked to share something about Suryavanshi that fans might not know. The Rajasthan Royals all-rounder quipped: "Whether he's actually 14 years old or not."
Rana quickly clarified he was joking but the comment highlighted just how unbelievable Suryavanshi's rise has been. His composure and power at such a young age have left even his teammates in awe.
Nitish rana about sanju samson , vaibhav, riyan and archer #IPL2026 #nitishrana #SanjuSamson [cricket,dpl, MY FM] pic.twitter.com/8qjbMMrlqE
— Sachin (@CRICCULTURE09) September 1, 2025
Suryavanshi's breakthrough began in style. After becoming the youngest player to be bought in an IPL auction at 13, he smashed a six off Shardul Thakur on the first ball he faced.
He followed up a 34-run debut with a jaw-dropping 101 off just 38 deliveries against the Gujarat Titans - reaching his century in only 35 balls. That innings instantly etched his name into IPL history.
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Nitish Rana shines in DPL after tough IPL 2025 season
While Rana didn't enjoy a standout IPL season himself (scoring 217 runs in 11 matches with one 81-run knock against CSK), he bounced back in the Delhi Premier League. Leading West Delhi Lions, he scored 393 runs in 11 games at a strike rate of nearly 182 - guiding his team to the title.
Suryavanshi's IPL heroics have set the stage for an exciting future. Whether or not age jokes continue to follow him, what's clear is that India may have unearthed a generational batting talent far earlier than anyone expected.