A new cricket sensation has taken England by storm, and he’s only 14! Vaibhav Suryavanshi, the teenage star from India’s U-19 team, has left fans and experts in awe with his breathtaking performances during India’s 3-1 Youth ODI series victory over England. With comparisons to legends Sachin Tendulkar and Virat Kohli, this young batter is already building a massive fanbase across the UK.
A Star is Born
Vaibhav, already a household name after his explosive IPL 2025 stint with Rajasthan Royals, smashed an incredible 355 runs at a strike rate of 174 during the Youth ODI series. His highlight? A jaw-dropping 143 off 78 balls at Worcestershire’s New Road, including 23 boundaries, and a blistering 86 off just 31 balls in a rain-shortened 40-over match in Northampton. The left-hander’s tally of 27 sixes in the series left crowds roaring and earned him a standing ovation.
Daniel Peacock, a cricket analyst for the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), couldn’t hide his excitement. “The first time I saw him, there was a buzz at Northamptonshire—more photos, more press, even the BBC showed up,” Peacock told Times of India. “At Worcester, his 143 was near perfection. Everyone knew they’d witnessed something special.”
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Tendulkar-Kohli Hype
Vaibhav’s fearless strokeplay has sparked comparisons to Indian cricket icons Sachin Tendulkar and Virat Kohli, with some even claiming he could surpass them. “The expectancy is Tendulkar-Kohli-level, or beyond,” Peacock said. “He’s probably the best 14-year-old I’ve seen in any sport live.” Fans, especially British-Indians, have flocked to see him, with some traveling hours just to catch a glimpse of the young star.
“People are starting to talk about him here,” Peacock added. “Cricket fans know who he is, even if they struggle to pronounce his name. These matches usually draw a small crowd, but Vaibhav’s brought extra media attention—BBC, The Athletic, Getty, you name it.”
The Future of Cricket?
Suryavanshi’s meteoric rise isn’t just limited to England. At just 13, he became the youngest player to sign an IPL contract with Rajasthan Royals for ₹1.1 crore and smashed a 35-ball century, the second-fastest in IPL history. His Youth ODI century off 52 balls against England set a new record as the fastest in the format’s history.
With a first-class debut for Bihar at 12 and a triple-century in a local U-19 tournament, Vaibhav’s trajectory points to greatness. “I’m sure it won’t be long until he’s playing Test and international cricket,” Peacock predicted. “When he starts scoring big, the world will know his name.”
As Vaibhav continues to dominate, the cricket world is watching. Is this 14-year-old the next big thing in Indian cricket? One thing’s certain: his journey has only just begun.
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