Vaibhav Suryavanshi¡¯s entry into the IPL 2025 was nothing short of a sensation. Picked up by Rajasthan Royals for ?1.1 crore at just 14 years of age, his performances quickly made him one of the most talked-about players this season. But just as he made online buzz for his record-breaking century, questions have surfaced around whether he is truly as young as he claims.
In only his third IPL match, Vaibhav hammered a 35-ball century against Gujarat Titans at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur. The innings made him the fastest Indian to score an IPL hundred and the second-fastest overall. His debut had already turned heads when he hit a six off the very first delivery he faced against Lucknow Super Giants.
However, the celebrations took a turn when a video went viral, featuring a man from Vaibhav¡¯s locality who claimed that the cricketer is actually 16, not 14. The man said he knew the family personally and described how Vaibhav¡¯s father made sacrifices to support his son's cricket career. According to him, hitting sixes off the first ball was something Vaibhav had been doing long before the IPL.
Allegations of age fraud are not new in Indian cricket. Age-group tournaments have long seen controversies about players misstating their age, particularly in the under-14 and under-16 categories.
This time, the claim hit the spotlight due to the scale of Vaibhav¡¯s performance and his high-profile IPL entry. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has not made any official statement, and no inquiry has been announced as of now. The IPL governing body too has remained silent. But the social media buzz is growing, with some calling for documentation checks.
Olympic medallist and former boxer Vijender Singh weighed in with a sarcastic post on X (formerly Twitter): ¡°Bhai aaj kal umar choti ker ke cricket me bhe khelne lage (Now players are cutting their age to play cricket too).¡±
His comment added fuel to the ongoing discussion and highlighted how age manipulation, once primarily associated with amateur-level sports, is now being questioned even in professional leagues. While no proof has emerged against Vaibhav, the suspicion alone is enough to draw attention, particularly in a sport as closely followed as cricket in India.
While Vaibhav¡¯s talent is evident, the age question may shadow his rise unless official clarity puts doubts to rest.