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14-year-old Vaibhav Suryavanshi had a stellar debut IPL campaign for the Rajasthan Royals (RR), scoring 252 runs in just seven matches. He also scored a stunning 35-ball century against the Gujarat Titans to carry his side to the massive 210-run target during the match. The fantastic knock included seven boundaries and 11 sixes.
Vaibhav Suryavanshi scored the second-fastest century in IPL history
Notably, this was also the second-fastest ton ever scored in IPL only behind Chris Gayle's 30-ball hundred that came back in the 2013 season for the Royal Challengers Bengaluru.
Highly impressed with the teenage sensation's performance in IPL, former England cricketer Ryan Sidebottom showered praise on him and even stated that he will be the successor to Sachin Tendulkar and Virat Kohli and will become Indian cricket's next superstar in the near future.
"It's wonderful, isn't it? I think India, because cricket is just like everything to them. When you go over there, it's crazy. Everything is cricket. They are like your Premier League footballers over here in England. Everybody knows what they're doing, where they live, what they're up to, what games they're playing in. They are proper superstars in world cricket. So, now your Kohlis have retired and your Tendulkars, who's next? This 14-year-old who has burst onto the scene. It's almost like another Sachin Tendulkar. Already, they've unearthed this absolute gem," Sidebottom told BoyleSports.
Though the ex-England pacer couldn't help but admire the youngster's batting skills, he also warned him to not get carried away. Suryavanshi's performance in IPL turned many heads, leaving many fans and experts amazed.
"I think the thing is not to get too carried away but, wow, to burst onto the scene like that in the IPL, the way he hit the ball was truly unreal. Actually, when they were saying that this 14-year-old is playing, he doesn't look 14, does he? He looks like a grown man already," Sidebottom added.
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Sidebottom also heaped praise on Suryavanshi for showing immense maturity almost everytime he stepped out to bat for the Rajasthan-based franchise during his debut IPL campaign.
"He's so mature, and he's quite a big lad. But, I mean, wow, how he hit the ball and the way he played. Hitting a six as soon as he came in. I remember my first game. I was so nervous. It was horrible. He was like a duck to water. He absolutely just thrived and loved the big occasion. So, well done to him. It's great that India is talking about these youngsters once again," Sidebottom concluded.
Suryavanshi's services were acquired by RR for a fee of INR 1.10 crore at the 2025 IPL mega auction. In the end he proved to be a bargain for the franchise and it is likely that they will keep him for many seasons to come.
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