'We want to make sure we are giving enough champions to Indian cricket' - Sanju Samson on RR signing 13-year-old Vaibhav Suryavanshi

Rajasthan Royals (RR) turned heads during the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 mega auction in November when they signed 13-year-old Vaibhav Suryavanshi for INR 1.10 crore. The Bihar batter has been making waves in Indian cricket after his exploits in the domestic circuit.

Rajasthan Royals' captain Sanju Samson explained the reason why Suryavanshi was roped in by the inaugural champions. The Kerala wicketkeeper-batter said that the Rajasthan think tank was in awe of Suryavanshi's talent after witnessing his 58-ball century against the Australian team in a U-19 Test match in Chennai.

"I have seen his highlights. All of the people in the Rajasthan decision-making group saw him bat at the U19 Test match vs Australia in Chennai, where he scored a hundred of 60-70 balls. The shots that he played there, it felt like, that's something special and we felt like we have to have those kind of individuals in the side and see where they go," Sanju Samson told AB de Villiers in an interview.

Samson said that Royals, as a franchise, not only looks to win championships but also groom youngsters who can go on to serve Indian cricket in the future. He mentioned the names of Yashasvi Jaiswal, Riyan Parag, and Dhruv Jurel, who have impressed in Indian colours after making significant contributions to the Rajasthan-based franchise.

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"But Rajasthan Royals have a history of doing this. They find out talents and make them champions. For example, there is a Yashasvi Jaiswal who came to RR as a youngster and now is a rockstar of the Indian team. There is Riyan Parag and Dhruv Jurel - they all fall under that line. I think RR loves that kind of thing - yes, we want to win the IPL, but we also want to make sure that we are giving enough champions to Indian cricket. It will be exciting to meet him," he further added.

On Saturday, December 21, Suryavanshi became the youngest player to make his List A debut when he represented Bihar in their clash against Madhya Pradesh. At the age of 13 years and 269 days, Suryavanshi broke the record of Ali Akbar, who made his List A debut at the age of 14 years and 51 days for Vidarbha during the 1999/2000 season. He's already the youngest Indian to make his Ranji Trophy debut and also to play at the Under 19 level.