A memorable story about young cricketer Vaibhav Sooryavanshi came out during the BCCI Naman Awards ceremony. Rajasthan Royals captain Sanju Samson shared an interesting moment from the night before Vaibhav’s IPL debut in 2025.
Samson revealed that former India coach Rahul Dravid had a private conversation with the young batter to discuss his approach for the big match.
Rahul Dravid’s Conversation With Vaibhav Before Debut
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi made headlines when he debuted for Rajasthan Royals in the IPL at just 14 years old. He played his first match on April 19, 2025 against Lucknow Super Giants.
According to Sanju Samson, Rahul Dravid called the young batter into a room before the match to talk about his plan for the game.
Dravid asked Vaibhav what his strategy would be when he walked out to bat. Vaibhav gave a simple answer that surprised everyone. He said that if he got the first ball, he would try to hit it in the air.
Samson explained that Vaibhav was confident and planned to play his natural attacking game despite the pressure of an IPL debut.
A Fearless Start in the IPL
Vaibhav stayed true to his words during the match. When he faced his first ball in the IPL, bowled by Shardul Thakur, he hit it for a six.
The young batter continued playing aggressively and scored a brilliant 74 runs from 52 balls in his debut innings.
Also See : Pakistan File Complaint After Controversial Review in Bangladesh ODI
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi IPL Debut Performance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Debut date | April 19, 2025 |
| Team | Rajasthan Royals |
| Opponent | Lucknow Super Giants |
| Score | 74 runs off 52 balls |
| Boundaries | 5 fours, 4 sixes |
| First ball faced | Six against Shardul Thakur |
His fearless batting impressed fans and showed that he had the confidence to perform on a big stage.
Young Star Honoured at the Naman Awards
The BCCI Naman Awards ceremony celebrated many outstanding players and contributors to Indian cricket.
During the event, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and Sanju Samson were both present on stage. Samson was recognised for his role in India’s senior team success, while Vaibhav was praised as one of the country’s most promising young players.
Vaibhav had already made a strong impression at the youth level with the India Under-19 team.
Record-Breaking Performance in Under-19 Cricket
Before his IPL debut, Vaibhav had gained attention for his outstanding performances in youth cricket.
He played a key role in India’s Under-19 ODI World Cup victory and delivered a remarkable innings in the final against England.
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi Early Career Highlights
| Event | Achievement |
|---|---|
| Age at IPL debut | 14 years 23 days |
| IPL auction price | ₹1.1 crore |
| Under-19 World Cup final | 175 runs off 80 balls |
| Team | Rajasthan Royals |
His performances in youth cricket helped him earn opportunities at a much higher level at a very young age.
Vaibhav’s Goal for IPL 2026
Looking ahead to the next season, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has made it clear that he wants to help Rajasthan Royals win the IPL title.
The young batter said his focus is on contributing to the team’s success and improving his own game during the tournament.
If he continues performing with the same confidence he showed in his debut, he could become one of the most exciting young players in Indian cricket.
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s journey shows how young players can make an impact when they get the right opportunity and support.
The story shared by Sanju Samson about Rahul Dravid’s advice highlights how important guidance and confidence are for young cricketers stepping onto big stages.
With a strong start to his career and big ambitions for the future, Vaibhav remains one of the most talked-about young talents in Indian cricket.
