At an age when most are mastering school assignments, Vaibhav Suryavanshi is mastering the cricket pitch, appointed vice-captain for Bihar`s Ranji Trophy squad.
In a move that has sent ripples through the cricketing fraternity, 14-year-old Vaibhav Suryavanshi has been appointed vice-captain of the Bihar Ranji Trophy squad for the initial rounds of the 2025-26 season. While most teenagers are navigating the complexities of high school algebra or perfecting their gaming strategies, Suryavanshi is already grappling with the demanding world of first-class cricket leadership. This unprecedented elevation is not merely a symbolic gesture; it`s a profound testament to his extraordinary talent and the immense faith placed in him by the Bihar Cricket Association (BCA).
This bold statement from the BCA comes amidst a somewhat chaotic administrative backdrop. The appointment, made just days before the season`s kick-off, followed a last-minute scramble to establish a selection panel, highlighting the logistical challenges sometimes inherent in state-level cricket governance. Despite these organizational hurdles, the decision to elevate Suryavanshi, under the captaincy of Sakibul Gani, signals a clear intent to nurture and fast-track a generational talent within Bihar`s cricketing ecosystem. It`s a pragmatic gamble, hoping a dash of precocious genius might ignite a struggling team.
A Meteoric Rise: The Prodigy`s Recent Dominance
Suryavanshi’s rapid ascent, while remarkable for his age, is far from unfounded. His recent performances across various youth and professional circuits have been nothing short of phenomenal, painting a picture of a player beyond his years.
- India Under-19 Tour of Australia: He demonstrated a mature head on young shoulders, smashing a 78-ball century and finishing as the second-highest run-scorer in the multi-day series, contributing significantly to India`s 2-0 victory.
- India Under-19 Tour of England: His exploits were equally breathtaking. He notched a record-breaking 143, marking the fastest century in youth one-dayers, and amassed a series-topping 355 runs in just five matches, at an astonishing strike rate of 174.01.
- IPL 2025 History Maker: Perhaps the most startling chapter in his burgeoning career came earlier this year. Representing Rajasthan Royals, Suryavanshi etched his name in the history books as the youngest centurion in men`s T20s, an explosive 101 off just 38 balls. Having already been the youngest player picked in the IPL at 13, he went on to aggregate 252 runs in seven games, all as an opener, at a staggering strike rate exceeding 200.
While his first-class record—a modest 100 runs from five games since his debut at 12 years and 284 days—might seem an outlier against his white-ball heroics, these figures are largely a reflection of his sporadic availability. Extensive India Under-19 commitments have meant he is yet to have a consistent run in the country`s premier first-class competition. It`s a delicate balancing act for a player whose prodigious talent is sought after at multiple, high-pressure levels.
Challenges Ahead: Balancing Aspirations and State Hopes
For Bihar, who endured an abysmal and winless 2024-25 Ranji season, culminating in relegation, Suryavanshi represents a beacon of hope. Their opening fixtures in the Plate league against Arunachal Pradesh and Manipur will be crucial opportunities for the young vice-captain to stamp his authority on the senior circuit. The whispers of him potentially switching to a more established first-class structure due to his undeniable talent are growing louder, making Bihar`s efforts to retain him even more critical for their cricketing future. One can almost hear the sighs of relief (and perhaps a touch of anxiety) from the BCA.
However, even this vice-captaincy might be a fleeting role. With the Under-19 World Cup slated for early 2026, Suryavanshi is a strong contender for India`s squad, meaning his full availability for the Ranji season remains uncertain. This only underscores the unique position he finds himself in—a prodigy with national and international aspirations colliding with domestic state responsibilities. It`s a high-stakes game of scheduling, where a 14-year-old`s calendar might be more complex than a seasoned CEO`s.
Vaibhav Suryavanshi`s journey is a compelling narrative of precocious talent meeting unprecedented opportunities. It challenges conventional cricketing development pathways and shines a spotlight on the future of Indian cricket, where age appears to be merely a number when raw ability and a winning mentality are on display. The cricketing world watches with bated breath to see how this young phenom continues to rewrite the rules.
Bihar Ranji Trophy 2025-26 Squad
- Piyush Kumar Singh
- Bhashkar Dubey
- Sakibul Gani (captain)
- Vaibhav Suryavanshi (vice-captain)
- Arnav Kishor
- Ayush Loharuka
- Bipin Saurabh
- Amod Yadav
- Nawaz Khan
- Sakib Hussain
- Raghvendra Pratap Singh
- Sachin Kumar Singh
- Himanshu Singh
- Khalid Alam
- Sachin Kumar
