Despite all the buzz surrounding 14-year-old Vaibhav Suryavanshi’s meteoric rise in the IPL 2025 season, former India cricketer Yograj Singh remains unconvinced. While the cricketing world is in awe of the Rajasthan Royals’ teen sensation, Yograj feels the youngster’s true potential can only be measured in the rigours of red-ball cricket. He argues that surviving the demands of Test cricket—not just excelling in T20s—is the ultimate litmus test for any promising talent.
Suryavanshi burst onto the scene when he became the youngest player ever bought in an IPL auction. The Royals, battling a depleted roster due to injuries, handed the Bihar-born prodigy a chance.
What followed was a whirlwind 35-ball century against the Gujarat Titans—one of the most potent bowling line-ups in the tournament. He finished the season with 252 runs in seven games, boasting a staggering strike rate of 206.55, including the second-fastest century in IPL history.
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Yet Yograj Singh, father of Indian legend Yuvraj Singh, isn’t swayed by the dazzling stats. Speaking to InsideSport, he said, “The real question is: can he survive five days? Test cricket is the ultimate measure of character and skill. T20s and ODIs are fine, but a complete cricketer must be fit and capable across all three formats.”
He further took a dig at the current cricketing ecosystem. “Everyone wants to sit in AC rooms and talk cricket. I’m out here in 48-degree heat, driven by a passion to produce the next Yuvraj.”
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Though Suryavanshi has made a sensational start in limited-overs, his red-ball credentials remain modest—just 100 runs from five First-Class games at an average of 10. In List A cricket, he’s scored 132 runs from six games. Still, his raw talent continues to impress. At a recent Under-19 camp in Bengaluru, he reportedly smashed a 190 off just 90 balls, making a strong case for selection in India’s upcoming U-19 tour of England.
