14-Year-Old Vaibhav Suryavanshi Breaks IPL Records: What Were Virat Kohli, MS Dhoni, and Sachin Tendulkar Doing at His Age?

Add as a preferred source on Google

In 2025, 14-year-old Vaibhav Suryavanshi is setting the IPL on fire, having just scored a blazing 100 off 35 balls against Gujarat Titans, making him the youngest ever to score a century in the IPL. His meteoric rise leaves us wondering: where were our cricket icons at that age?

When you think of cricket legends like Virat Kohli, MS Dhoni, and Sachin Tendulkar, what were they doing at the age of 14? Were they already dreaming big, or were they still polishing their skills in the shadows?

The answer is fascinating because, while they were all on their paths to greatness, their journeys were quite different. Vaibhav’s success in just a few weeks of professional cricket paints a picture of the massive opportunities available today compared to the paths followed by these legends back in the day.

Vaibhav Suryavanshi's IPL Century: A New Era

On April 28, 2025, Vaibhav Suryavanshi did what many cricketing greats only dream of doing; making history in the IPL at the age of 14. He scored a dazzling 100 off just 35 balls against the Gujarat Titans, becoming not only the youngest to score a century in the IPL but also the fastest Indian to do so.

This achievement is an incredible feat for a teenager, and it highlights the immense potential that Vaibhav has shown in such a short time. What’s even more impressive is that he secured an IPL contract with Rajasthan Royals at just 13, making him one of the youngest crorepatis in the tournament.

But what were the cricketing legends like Virat Kohli, MS Dhoni, and Sachin Tendulkar up to when they were 14? Let’s take a look at their journeys, which, though filled with dedication and hard work, were shaped by a very different cricketing landscape.

Sachin Tendulkar at 14

In 1987, a 14-year-old Sachin Tendulkar was already laying the foundation for his extraordinary cricketing career. He was working tirelessly under the watchful eyes of his mentor, Ramakant Achrekar, in the nets at Shivaji Park in Mumbai. At this age, Sachin had not yet entered the big leagues but was already making waves in school and club cricket.

Tendulkar's remarkable talent was beginning to shine. He was often seen practicing for hours, even winning a prized one-rupee coin from Achrekar for completing a session without being dismissed. His remarkable potential was noticed early on, and by 1987, he had attended the MRF Pace Foundation in Chennai to train as a fast bowler. However, it was soon clear that his future lay in batting rather than bowling.

While Sachin had not yet reached the level of international cricket, his talent was undeniable, and the cricketing world would soon take notice.

Virat Kohli at 14

Virat Kohli's cricketing journey at 14 in 2002 was just as focused, though it had a very different context. A product of Delhi’s West Cricket Academy, Kohli was already showing signs of becoming a cricketing prodigy. At 14, he was still playing in the local cricket circuits, not yet on the radar of major domestic leagues or international selectors. While his peers played in age-group tournaments, Kohli was determined to make his mark. He had a fierce drive to succeed, which was only solidified after the sudden death of his father in 2006, pushing him to commit himself fully to cricket.

Though Virat’s rise wasn’t as fast as Vaibhav’s, it was equally marked by dedication and persistence. Kohli eventually made his mark in the U-15 team, and his journey to international cricket was well underway, but at 14, he was still in the early stages of his rise. If only he had the opportunities that Vaibhav now has through platforms like the IPL.

MS Dhoni at 14

MS Dhoni’s story at 14 is the tale of raw talent and humble beginnings. Born and raised in Ranchi, he was more focused on football at this age and was even playing as a goalkeeper. It wasn’t until later that he switched to cricket and started making his mark in local clubs. By the time he was 18, Dhoni had started to break through the ranks, but at 14, he was still far from the limelight.

Dhoni’s journey was more gradual compared to Vaibhav’s fast-track rise. He spent years playing in local cricket leagues and working his way up through the ranks, eventually making a name for himself in domestic cricket.

While Sachin, Virat, and Dhoni were all building their careers at 14 in a very different system, Vaibhav’s exposure to high-profile platforms like the IPL at such a young age shows the immense opportunities available to young cricketers today. The cricket world is evolving, and Vaibhav’s story is just the beginning of this new era of talent recognition and fast-tracked success.

Each legend had their unique journey, but Vaibhav’s story is a reminder that the cricketing world of today offers opportunities that were unimaginable a few decades ago.