From Tears to Triumph: How VVS Laxman Turned a Crying 14-Year-Old into IPL's Newest Star Vaibhav Suryavanshi

Rajasthan Royals’ new sensation, 14-year-old Vaibhav Suryavanshi, has become the talk of the cricketing world after blasting a 38-ball century against Gujarat Titans in IPL 2025. But behind his meteoric rise lies a touching story of heartbreak, resilience, and a legendary mentor who changed his fate—VVS Laxman.

The right-handed opener, hailing from Bihar, stunned everyone with a whirlwind knock of 101 runs, smashing 7 fours and 11 sixes. But his journey to the IPL spotlight began long before this explosive debut.

During the BCCI Under-19 One Day Challenger Tournament, Vaibhav caught the eye of Laxman after a strong performance in a district-level match. But it wasn’t just his talent that left an impression. In one match for India B, Vaibhav was dismissed for 36 and broke down in the dressing room. That moment turned pivotal.

According to Vaibhav’s coach, Manish Ojha, Laxman saw the boy crying and approached him gently, saying, “We don’t just look at runs. We want players who perform consistently.” That reassurance laid the foundation for a mentor-protégé bond.

Laxman tracked Vaibhav’s progress over two years before recommending him to Rajasthan Royals coach Rahul Dravid. Thanks to this recommendation, Vaibhav earned a spot in the squad and began training under Dravid’s guidance.

Opportunity knocked when RR captain Sanju Samson was injured. Vaibhav seized the moment, smashing a six off his very first IPL ball against Shardul Thakur in a debut match against Lucknow Super Giants. His true explosion came days later with a century that left fans and veterans stunned.

Now, the once-crying teen is cricket’s latest prodigy—proof of what belief, guidance, and raw talent can achieve.