IPL 2025: "For him to grow...": Rahul Dravid reveals why RR signed 'age-fraud accused' Vaibhav Suryavanshi

Rajasthan Royals (RR) head coach Rahul Dravid has revealed the franchise's bold decision to secure the services of 13-year-old Vaibhav Suryavanshi for a whopping INR 1.10 crore at the IPL 2025 mega auction in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, on Monday (November 25).

This groundbreaking signing is just the latest in the Rajasthan Royals’ (RR) long-standing commitment to nurturing young talent – a tradition the IPL franchise has been following for a long time with players like Sanju Samson, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Riyan Parag, and Dhruv Jurel being their product.

Rajasthan Royals signs 13-year-old sensation Vaibhav Suryavanshi for INR 1.10 Crore at IPL 2025 Mega Auction

Rahul Dravid, who has been instrumental in shaping Indian cricket’s future, expressed his excitement about the potential of Vaibhav Suryavanshi, a budding cricketing star from Samastipur, Bihar. The youngster, who had already caught the eye with his dazzling performances at the junior level, was picked up by the Rajasthan Royals after a stellar trial session.

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The former Indian head coach Rahul Dravid has emphasized that the Royals’ “strong environment” would provide the perfect platform for Suryavanshi to hone his already-impressive skills and he can be the next superstar for Indian cricket in the future.

Vaibhav Suryavanshi’s rise to fame began with a sensational century against Australia Under-19 in a Youth Test match in Chennai, where he smashed 104 runs off just 62 balls for India Under-19. Soon after his ton, the youngster made his T20 debut for Bihar in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, showcasing his potential with a quickfire 13 runs off just six balls.

We thought it might be a good environment for Vaibhav Suryavanshi to grow in: Rahul Dravid

Having made his Ranji Trophy debut at just 12 years and 284 days old, Vaibhav Suryavanshi is already being hailed as one of India's most exciting young prospects. Dravid revealed that the 13-year-old eighth-standard student came to RR’s trials, where they decided to go after him in the IPL 2025 mega auction.

The Rajasthan Royals head coach Rahul Dravid said in an IPL video: “I think he's (Suryavanshi) got some really good skills, so we thought it might be a good environment for him to grow in. Vaibhav just came to our trials and we were really happy with what he saw.”

The Royals have bolstered their pace attack with the inclusion of Akash Madhwal, Jofra Archer, Tushar Deshpande, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Ashok Sharma, and Kwena Maphaka at the mega auction.

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Rahul Dravid opens up about Rajasthan Royals' bowling attack for IPL 2025

Additionally, they have acquired Kumar Kartikeya Singh and Maheesh Theekshana in the spin department, while Wanindu Hasaranga and Yudhvir Charak joined RR as all-rounders.

Dravid further explained, “We came into this auction having retained a lot of our core Indian batsmen. A big target for us in this auction really was bowlers, showing that we did a really strong bowling attack. I think we achieved that. We got some really good bowlers, a couple of really good spinners, backed it up with a really good Indian spinner in Karthikeya.”

He signed off by saying, “So, having someone like Jofra and his skills and unique skills, backed that up with a couple of left-handers. We like the change in angle, like the swing that both Faruqui and Mafaka bring for us. We really enjoyed the whole process, not only just the pure auction.”