Jobaaj Stories
Vaibhav Suryavanshi, the promising 13-year-old batter from India, has once again found himself at the center of an age controversy. The young talent, who impressed with his performances during the U-19 Asia Cup in the UAE, has now been questioned by former Pakistan cricketer Junaid Khan, who raised doubts about his real age after watching a video of Suryavanshi's powerful knock.
In the recent Asia Cup tournament, Suryavanshi was one of India’s standout players, finishing as the joint-highest run-scorer alongside opening partner Ayush Mahtre. He accumulated 176 runs from five innings, including two half-centuries—76* against UAE and 67 against Sri Lanka. His match-winning 76* in the semifinal, which included five sixes and six boundaries, earned him the Player of the Match award.
Junaid Khan, sharing a clip of the match on Instagram, questioned whether a 13-year-old could really hit a six that landed over the roof of the venue. "Can a 13-year-old kid really hit such a long six?" Khan asked in his post, casting a shadow over Suryavanshi’s age.
The allegations of age fraud have followed Suryavanshi for some time. Despite his incredible feats on the field, rumors surfaced suggesting he might be older than he claims, with some speculating he could be 15 rather than 13. This controversy intensified after Suryavanshi made history as the youngest-ever cricketer to be sold at an IPL auction. Rajasthan Royals bought him for INR 1.10 crore, making him the talk of the cricket world.
To address these rumors, Suryavanshi's father clarified that the young cricketer had already undergone a BCCI-approved bone test when he was just 8 and a half years old. He assured that Suryavanshi’s age had been confirmed through official procedures, and the family was open to further tests if required. “He has already played for India U-19, and we don’t fear anyone. He can undergo another age test if needed,” said Suryavanshi’s father.
As Suryavanshi prepares for his future in the game, he will join Rajasthan Royals in March 2025, sharing the dressing room with stars like Sanju Samson, Yashasvi Jaiswal, and Jofra Archer. He will also have the unique opportunity to be mentored by Rahul Dravid, the new head coach of the Royals.
Despite the ongoing debate about his age, Vaibhav Suryavanshi’s talent and potential have shone through, and the cricket world will be watching closely as his career continues to unfold.
