Rajasthan Royals (RR) head coach Rahul Dravid has shed light on the decision to invest in 13-year-old prodigy Vaibhav Suryavanshi during the IPL 2025 mega auction. The eighth-grade student from Samastipur, Bihar, was signed for ₹1.1 crore, continuing RR’s legacy of nurturing young talent, as seen with players like Sanju Samson, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Riyan Parag, and Dhruv Jurel.
Dravid revealed that Suryavanshi’s journey with the franchise began when he impressed the team during trials. “He’s got some really good skills, so we thought it might be a good environment for him to grow in. Vaibhav came to our trials, and we were very happy with what we saw,” Dravid said in a video shared by the IPL.
Rising Star with Exceptional Talent
Suryavanshi caught the attention of selectors with a stellar century in a Youth Test for India Under-19 against Australia Under-19 in Chennai, smashing 104 runs off just 62 balls. He recently made his T20 debut for Bihar in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy against Rajasthan, contributing 13 runs off 6 balls.
Having made his Ranji Trophy debut last season at the age of 12 years and 284 days, the young cricketer is already making waves in domestic cricket. Dravid expressed confidence in RR’s ability to provide him with the right platform for growth.
Focus on Building a Strong Bowling Line-Up
Beyond Suryavanshi, Dravid highlighted Rajasthan’s strategy in the auction, emphasizing the focus on assembling a formidable bowling attack. Key additions include pace bowlers Akash Madhwal, Jofra Archer, Tushar Deshpande, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Ashok Sharma, and Kwena Maphaka. In the spin department, RR acquired Kumar Kartikeya Singh and Maheesh Theekshana, while Wanindu Hasaranga and Yudhvir Charak were added as all-rounders.
“We came into this auction retaining most of our core Indian batsmen. Our priority was to build a strong bowling unit, and I think we achieved that,” Dravid said.
Balanced and Dynamic Squad
Dravid praised the versatility of the new signings, particularly the inclusion of left-arm pacers like Farooqi and Maphaka for their unique angles and swing capabilities. “Having someone like Jofra Archer, with his unique skills, and backing that up with quality left-arm bowlers, gives us variety. We’ve also strengthened our spin department with players like Kartikeya and Theekshana,” he added.
The Royals, known for their innovative approach and faith in young talent, are gearing up for a competitive IPL 2025 season, with both experienced players and promising newcomers forming a well-rounded squad.
