At just 14, Vaibhav Suryavanshi is doing what most young cricketers only dream of — dominating headlines in the UK and drawing comparisons to legends like Sachin Tendulkar and Virat Kohli.
Cricket fans who’ve been tracking India’s U-19 tour of England are calling him a generational talent. Yes, Indian cricket is known for churning out gifted batters, especially post-IPL. But once in a while, someone emerges who doesn’t just fit the mold — they break it. That’s Vaibhav.
Hailing from Bihar, the teenager shot to fame after scoring the fastest IPL century by an Indian — in just 35 balls. But it didn’t stop there. He followed it up with a jaw-dropping 143 off 78 balls against England U-19 in Worcester. With 355 runs in 4 ODIs at a strike rate of 174, including 27 sixes, he’s become the name on everyone’s lips — even if they can’t quite pronounce it.
Outshining Everyone — Even the Seniors
What makes his rise even more incredible is the crowded cricket calendar in England. The senior Indian men’s team is battling England in the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy. The women’s team, led by Harmanpreet Kaur, is mid-way through an ODI series after a T20I win. The India A team is touring for red-ball matches. And the U-19 squad is playing a multi-format series.
Despite all that star power, it’s Suryavanshi who’s stolen the limelight — purely on the back of his performances.
English Experts and Fans Can’t Get Enough
Daniel Peacock, an analyst and statistician with the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), has seen it all. But even he’s stunned.
“We’re watching something incredibly rare,” he told Times of India. “He might be the best 14-year-old athlete I’ve ever seen live. The vibe here in England is that we’re witnessing the next big thing — someone at Tendulkar-Kohli level, or even beyond.”
British Indians Flock to Catch a Glimpse
Vaibhav isn’t just impressing analysts — he’s creating a buzz at the grassroots. British-Indian families are flocking to U-19 matches in numbers rarely seen for youth games.
“These matches usually get a handful of die-hard fans,” Peacock added. “But now we’re seeing major media outlets like BBC and Getty show up. There’s a real energy. British Indians are traveling across cities just to see this kid bat live.”
Kids line up for autographs. Families camp out in hopes of a selfie. A young fan in Beckenham beamed, “He’s my role model. I love how fearless he is.”
Even Opponents Are in Awe
Not even rival bowlers are immune to Vaibhav’s brilliance. England U-19 spinner Ralphie Albert, who faced him in both formats, said, “He never backed off. You’d think after one good series he’d slow down a bit, but he just keeps going. He’s seriously good.”
The Next Global Icon?
Despite the Indian team’s best efforts to shield him from the spotlight, the buzz around Vaibhav Suryavanshi keeps growing louder. For many in the UK’s Indian diaspora, watching him feels like a throwback — like seeing a young Sachin at Lord’s or a teenage Virat at Hobart.
Sanjeev, a London-based government employee, put it best: “I drove two hours just to watch him. I came only for Suryavanshi. He’s special — and we all know it.”
Final Word
He may be just 14. And England may still be struggling to pronounce his name. But there’s no mistaking it — Vaibhav Suryavanshi is the real deal, and the cricketing world is waking up to that fact.
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