India’s young hard-hitter Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has always been the talk of the town. Sooryavanshi has made mockery of bowling attacks in Under-19 cricket, domestic cricket and the Indian Premier League (IPL) on his day. The amount of power he generates is unheard of for a now 15-year-old. As Sooryavanshi turns 15, RR’s director of high performance, Zubin Barocha has revealed that he had asked the franchise owners to put aside Rs 10 crore for the youngster at the IPL 2025 mega auction.
A 13-year-old Sooryavanshi had turned up for Royals' trials at their academy in Talegaon, Maharashtra. Bharucha had a match scenario in his head, handing the ball to Karnataka's left-arm pacer.
"The first ball to a right-hander had jagged back in," Bharucha said in a conversation with ESPN's Cricket Monthly. "So I'm thinking, when this guy comes on strike, the ball will probably move away and beat him outside off."
However, it wasn't the case as the southpaw whacked it over extra cover for a six. Bharucha was stunned and then recalled how Yashasvi Jaiswal and Sanju Samson had reacted to the first ball they faced at trials in a similar way.
"I was like, 'What am I seeing?' I couldn't even process it," Bharucha said.
"It reminded me of the first ball I saw Jaiswal face at a trial at DY Patil Stadium - he walked across and flicked it over short fine leg for four. Sanju Samson, the same thing - first ball in Jaipur at the practice ground. Amit Singh banged in a bouncer and he hit it onto the roof of the indoor stadium. First ball, kuch alag hi kiya. [did something different]"
Sooyravanshi stuns Bharucha
Bharucha decided to test Sooryavanshi further. He unleashed tall sidearm guys who would bowl in high 150s and also cautioned the teenager of the threat. But, the young opener was unfazed making it look like there was barely any pace on the ball.
"After the trials finished, I sent everyone away. I didn't want to embarrass the others, so I called Vaibhav back alone. We had these sidearm guys who could crank it up to 157-158kph. One of them is about 6'4", so you can imagine the release point,’ Bharucha recalled the details of the trial.
"I gave them a new ball and said, 'Attack him, boss.' I told Vaibhav they'd be quick. He just said, 'Haan sir, no problem.'
"The first few balls, he left. But even that stood out. The way he was leaving, it felt like there was no pace on the ball. The keeper was standing 30 yards back and he's just… so comfortably leaving them."
But, what followed helped instil belief that the left-handed batter is ready for the big leagues with is special talent.
"One of the sidearmers hit the deck hard, and Vaibhav hit it straight over the sightscreen for six. I asked for the ball speed, and it measured 157 kph!
"That's not normal. Not even for the best. To do that off your fourth or fifth ball facing that pace - that's when you know this is something incredibly special," the 56-year-old said.
Bharucha told Royals owner that Sooryavanshi is two times to that of their opener Yashasvi Jaiswal.
"I told them, he's Jaiswal multiplied by two already. You're looking at something incredible… Can't believe he has come to our doorstep. Don't miss this chance."
Sooryavanshi repays faith
Eventually, he was roped in for Rs 1.1 crore, considerably lower than what Royals had saved to acquired his services. They were involved in a mini-bidding war with Delhi Capitals (DC).
The move paid off as he announced his IPL arrival with a first-ball six off Shardul Thakur. From seven innings in his debut IPL season, he scored 252 runs at an average of 36 and strike rate of 206.55. He scored a blazing ton against Gujarat Titans (GT), youngest to achieve the feat in the IPL.