Vaibhav Suryavanshi's Fearless IPL Debut: The 14-Year-Old Pink Panther Roars in Jaipur

A young Pink Panther walked into the middle of 22 yards in Jaipur. Just 14, a youngster answering to the name of Vaibhav Suryavanshi was thrown into the deep end of the pool called the Indian Premier League. Turning out for Rajasthan Royals, the precocious talent absorbed the high decibel sound level and pressure as he scored 34 runs in his maiden innings.

Batting in the company of elegant opener Yashasvi Jaiswal, who was in explosive form, Vaibhav gave his senior partner good company. First impressions matter, so Vaibhav looks sorted. A clean stance, supple wrists and electrifying energy on his feet while running between the wickets, Vaibhav was a picture of confidence.

In the cauldron that the venue was, Vaibhav was not overawed as he faced the Lucknow Super Giants pace attack where Shardul Thakur, Avesh Khan and Digveshb Singh Rathi realised they could not intimidate the young Pink Panther, Vaibhav. Watching him closely was LSG skipper Rishabh Pant, himself a left-hander. He must have also been impressed watching a kid from Bihar dig himself in, apply his concentration skills and focus on making mark.

The young boy showed good presence of mind, was not attempting audacious strokes and at the same time realised early runs in Power Play would establish him. First day, first show , you have to say Vaibhav Suryavanshi has potential. He scored 34 runs off 20 balls, studded with three sixes and two fours. The creativity and power he executed early on clearly shows Vaibhav does not mind going for natural strokes. He has a good presence, understands what it is to play in the company of a seasoned batter.

A first outing in the IPL at a young age is fraught with risk. Yet, if you watched Vaibhav hang in, you would have realised he can make it big if he continues in the same vein of scoring heavy in Ranji Trophy. That Vaibhav fell when he was stumped by Pant off Aiden Markram is no shame. He will learn, how to take care of his feet positioning especially when Pant is behind the stumps and on the prowl.

For the record, even when the fielders were inside the ring, Vaibhav was trying to find the gaps. He has an eye a first day at work in the IPL after being bought at Rs 1.1 crores in the auction has finally seen him being unveiled. For more valuation, one needs to watch him in a few more matches in this IPL.