The 13-year-old batting sensation from Bihar Vaibhav Raghuvanshi scripted history by becoming the youngest player ever to be acquired at an IPL auction with Rajasthan Royals buying his services at a whopping price tag of Rs 1.10 crore. However, it's still not sure whether the young turk will get a match time in IPL 2025 or not. Meanwhile, with the Indian Premier League's 2025 around the corner, RR batting coach Vikram Rathour have offered an eagerly awaited update on their young star Vaibhav Suryavanshi.
Will Vaibhav Raghuvanshi feature in RR's playing XI in IPL 2025?
Since then, Suryavanshi's performances have only intensified the anticipation surrounding his potential. His 2024 season was marked by extraordinary achievements, notably a striking innings in the Vijay Hazare Trophy.
Playing for Bihar against Baroda, he hammered 71 runs off just 42 balls, establishing himself as the youngest Indian to score a List A fifty. On the international stage, he further impressed by delivering a rapid century against Australia in Chennai, achieving the fastest hundred by an Indian in youth Test cricket. Moreover, he played an instrumental role in India's ACC U19 Asia Cup campaign, where they made it to the final, contributing two crucial half-centuries.
Despite Suryavanshi's meteoric rise and undeniable talent, his immediate debut in the IPL may not be guaranteed. RR' batting coach, Vikram Rathour, has tempered expectations, indicating that patience will be key. While talking about Suryavanshi's exceptional abilities, Rathour stressed that the final decision regarding his inclusion in the playing XI will ultimately depend on the team's overall dynamics and strategic considerations.
“I am not sure if we will use him or not, it will depend on the strategy, the surface, and the opposition. We acquired his services because he is a very special player. He has a lot of ability, he may be young but I have hardly ever seen a player this young to possess the power he has. The signs are great and if he works hard I am sure he will be a big player,” Rathour stated in a press conference.
Rathour also talked about his re-union with RR head coach Rahul Dravid. Their reunion brings together a coaching duo that previously guided Team India to greater heights, including dominance across various formats and the coveted ICC Men's T20 World Cup title.
“There won't be much difference. We have worked together before, he is a brilliant coach. I really enjoyed my tenure with him. When we were in the Indian team we were fortunate enough to win the World Cup. Otherwise, there's not much difference, the IPL is a shorter tournament and Indian cricket is year-long. The good thing is that you get to work with the same bunch of players, we might have the same players for up to three years. In the Indian team you have different batters across formats. As far as coaching is concerned, it's about helping the team, supporting the batters, guiding them somehow and getting the best performance out of them,” Rathour concluded.
RR's schedule for IPL 2025:
Rajasthan Royals vs Sunrisers Hyderabad in Hyderabad - March 23 - 3:30 PM
Rajasthan Royals vs Kolkata Knight Riders in Guwahati - March 26 - 7:30 PM
Rajasthan Royals vs Chennai Super Kings in Guwahati - March 30 - 7:30 PM
Rajasthan Royals vs Punjab Kings in Chandigarh - April 5 - 7:30 PM
Rajasthan Royals vs Gujarat Titans in Ahmedabad - April 9 - 7:30 PM
Rajasthan Royals vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru in Jaipur - April 13 - 3:30 PM
Rajasthan Royals vs Delhi Capitals in Delhi - April 16 - 7:30 PM
Rajasthan Royals vs Lucknow Super Giants in Jaipur - April 19 - 7:30 PM
Rajasthan Royals vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru in Bengaluru - April 24 - 7:30 PM
Rajasthan Royals vs Gujarat Titans in Jaipur - April 28 - 7:30 PM
Rajasthan Royals vs Mumbai Indians in Jaipur - May 1 - 7:30 PM
Rajasthan Royals vs Kolkata Knight Riders in Kolkata - May 4 - 3:30 PM
Rajasthan Royals vs Chennai Super Kings in Chennai - May 12 - 7:30 PM
Rajasthan Royals vs Punjab Kings in Jaipur - May 16 - 7:30 PM
RR' full squad for IPL 2025:
Sanju Samson, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Riyan Parag, Dhruv Jurel, Shimron Hetmyer, Sandeep Sharma, Jofra Archer (Rs. 12.50 crore), Maheesh Theekshana (Rs. 4.4 crore), Wanindu Hasaranga (Rs. 5.25 crore), Akash Madhwal (Rs. 1.20 crore), Kumar Kartikeya (Rs. 30 lakh), Nitish Rana (Rs. 4.20 crore), Tushar Deshpande (Rs. 6.50 crore), Shubham Dubey (Rs. 80 lakh), Yudhvir Singh (Rs. 35 lakh), Fazalhaq Farooqi (Rs. 2 crore), Vaibhav Suryavanshi (Rs. 1.10 crore), Kwena Maphaka (Rs. 1.50 crore), Kunal Rathore (Rs. 30 lakh), Ashok Sharma (Rs. 30 lakh).