Rajasthan Royals head coach Rahul Dravid is confident that the team can give a good environment for 13-year-old Vaibhav Suryavanshi to develop himself during the IPL. Vaibhav, an eighth grader from Samastipur, Bihar, made history by securing an amazing Rs 1.10 crore deal from the Rajasthan Royals, becoming the youngest cricketer to earn an IPL contract on Monday in the IPL mega auction in Jeddah. Dravid, in a video on social media said, “I think he’s (Suryavanshi) got some really good skills, so we thought it might be a good environment for him to grow in. Vaibhav just came to our trials and we were really happy with what he saw.”
The rise of Vaibhav Suryavanshi
Vaibhav’s quick rise in cricket has caught the attention of many. Recently, he was the youngest player to hit a century in an international match, scoring 104 runs off 62 balls in a Youth Test for India U-19 against Australia U-19 in Chennai. He also made his debut in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, scoring 13 runs off just six balls for Bihar.
Challenges in first-class cricket
Despite his achievements, Vaibhav is still adjusting to first-class cricket. He debuted in the Ranji Trophy last season at just 12 years old, with an average of 10 over five matches, reaching a top score of 41. However, he shone brightly in the Vinoo Mankad Trophy, scoring nearly 400 runs in five games, solidifying his reputation as a promising young talent.
Rajasthan Royals’ strategy at IPL Auction
While Vaibhav’s signing made headlines, Dravid explained the team’s overall approach at the auction. “A big target for us in this auction really was bowlers,” he said. The team boosted their pace lineup by signing players like Jofra Archer and others, and for spin options, they acquired Kumar Kartikeya Singh and Maheesh Theekshana, along with all-rounders like Wanindu Hasaranga.
Dravid emphasised, “We came into this auction having retained a lot of our core Indian batsmen. We wanted a strong bowling attack, and I think we achieved that.” With players like Jofra, backed by left-arm options, the team has the variety they aimed for.
Auction dynamics and future prospects
Dravid also shared insights about the auction process, describing it as both challenging and rewarding. “There are nine other teams, all well-prepared and planned. You have to think on your feet and have plans A, B, C, and D. It was challenging but incredibly rewarding.” With the blend of young talent like Suryavanshi and experienced bowlers, the Royals are poised to make an impact in the upcoming IPL season.
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