Vaibhav Suryavanshi
Vaibhav Suryavanshi

India’s 13-year-old phenom Vaibhav Suryavanshi, who was purchased by the Rajasthan Royals in the IPL 2025 Auction for Rs 1.1 crore, has once again found himself embroiled in an age fraud scandal. Former Pakistan cricketer Junaid Khan utilized social media to upload a video of his knock at the U-19 Asia Cup event, prompting questions about the youngster’s age. 

Vaibhav had an outstanding batting performance against Sri Lanka, and Junaid questioned whether a 13-year-old could knock such enormous sixes. Vaibhav finished as India’s joint top scorer in the competition, with his greatest effort coming against Sri Lanka, when he hit 67 runs with 5 fours and 5 sixes. Junaid published a video of Vaibhav’s innings on Instagram with the description, “Can a 13-year-old kid hit such a long six?”

Previously, when asked about the controversy surrounding Vaibhav’s true age, which many assume to be 15 years, his father, Sanjiv Suryavanshi, was eager to clarify.

 He has already represented India U-19. We have no fear of anyone. “He can take the age test again,” he said defiantly in an interview with PTI.

Sanjiv claimed that Bihar Cricket Association director Rakesh Tiwary’s “blessings” had always aided Vaibhav on his journey. His auction base price was Rs. 30 lakh, and Delhi Capitals made the initial bid. RR entered the fray for Rs. 35 lakh and eventually beat DC to have the player on board.

So, how did this bidding battle start?

The Rajasthan Royals have summoned him for trials in Nagpur. Vikram Rathour sir (batting coach) assigned him a match circumstance in which he needed to score 17 in one over. Bituwa has three chakka. He smashed three sixes during trials. He smacked eight sixes and four fours in trials,” he boasted.