The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has named 14-year-old batting sensation Vaibhav Suryavanshi in the India A squad for the inaugural Rising Stars Asia Cup 2025, a high-profile Under-23 tournament organised by the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) to nurture emerging talent across the continent. Announced on Tuesday, the 15-member squad, led by Jitesh Sharma and featuring standouts like Priyansh Arya, Nehal Wadhera, and leg-spinner Suyash Sharma, will compete from November 14 to 23 at the West End International Cricket Stadium. Suryavanshi's inclusion, alongside five standbys including Sameer Rizvi and Kumar Kushagra, marks another milestone for the Bihar prodigy, who becomes one of the youngest players ever selected for an international youth event, setting the stage for a nerve-testing clash against Pakistan A in the group stage.

Born on March 27, 2011, in a small village near Samastipur, Bihar, Suryavanshi has shattered records at an astonishing pace, drawing comparisons to a young Sachin Tendulkar for his fearless strokeplay and composure. Initially coached by his father, a local cricketer, he joined a Samastipur academy at age nine and exploded onto the scene with a first-class debut for Bihar against Mumbai in January 2024—at just 12 years and 284 days, making him the second-youngest Ranji Trophy player ever. That year, he scripted the fastest U-19 Test century for India (58 balls, 104 runs) against Australia in Chennai, followed by fifties in the ACC U-19 Asia Cup. His List A bow came in December 2024 against Madhya Pradesh (13 years, 269 days), cementing him as India's youngest in the format. By November 2024, at 13 years and 241 days, he debuted in T20s for Bihar in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, the youngest globally.

Suryavanshi's meteoric rise peaked in IPL 2025, where he became the youngest auction buy at 13, snapped up by Rajasthan Royals for Rs 1.1 crore after a trial featuring three consecutive sixes. Debuting on April 19 against Lucknow Super Giants at 14 years and 23 days—the youngest IPL player ever—he smashed a six off Shardul Thakur en route to 34 off 20. Weeks later, on April 28, he blazed a 35-ball 101 against Gujarat Titans, the fastest IPL hundred by an Indian and the youngest T20I centurion ever, underscoring his explosive left-handed batting. These feats, blending raw power with tactical acumen, have positioned him as a generational talent, with experts praising his ability to dominate spin and pace alike in limited-overs cricket.

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India A, placed in Group B with Oman, UAE, and Pakistan A, opens against UAE on November 14, followed by the marquee Pakistan A fixture on November 16—a matchup steeped in rivalry that will test Suryavanshi's mettle under pressure. The group concludes in Oman on November 18, with semi-finals on November 21 and the final on November 23. For Suryavanshi, facing Pakistan's young guns like emerging pacers and spinners, this platform offers a glimpse of senior international cricket, much like the 2024 ACC U-19 event where he starred. The tournament, featuring eight teams in a T20 format, aims to bridge youth and senior levels, providing invaluable exposure ahead of global events.

Suryavanshi's selection amid India’s Women’s World Cup euphoria symbolises the BCCI's investment in grassroots prodigies, backed by initiatives like the National Cricket Academy. As he balances school with cricket—often training 10 hours daily—his journey from Bihar's dusty fields to Doha's floodlights inspires millions, embodying the democratisation of talent in Indian cricket. Should he shine, especially against Pakistan, it could accelerate his senior debut, fuelling dreams of a World Cup spot by 2031.

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