Sanju Samson shares insights from Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s interview with Rahul Dravid during Indian Premier League 2025. Last year in the match against Lucknow Super Giants, Sooryavanshi made history as the youngest IPL debutant at 14 years and 23 days while representing Rajasthan Royals.
Samson said that Dravid asked the young talent about his plan and Sooryavanshi replied nonchalantly saying that he would just play his natural game and use the aerial route if given the first opportunity.
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Samson added that the youngster approached the match with the confidence and focus of someone completely in his own world, likening it to playing a video game.
“I meant I was there for a meeting. So Rahul Sir invited him in the room. Sir said, ‘Sanju, we have to talk to him. He is a very young kid; we have to tell him how to go about it’,” Samson said at the Naman Awards in New Delhi.
“So, Rahul Sir asked him, ‘Vaibhave, what’s the plan?’ Vaibhav said, ‘(kuch nahi sir, brum khelenge (Nothing special sir. I will play, that’s it)’. Dravid asked, ‘What is your game plan?’
“Vaibhav said, ‘Agar hume pehle mila to hum pehla hi uda denge (like if I get the first ball in my zone, I’ll go aerial way)’. That’s exactly what he actually did. He’s playing his own video game,” Samson added.
How Vaibhav Sooryavanshi Fared in IPL 2025?
Vaibhav was picked up by the Royals in the IPL 2025 mega auction after the 2008 champions shelled out Rs 1.10 crore for the then 13-year-old batter. Vaibhav announced his arrival in style, stepping down from the sa brand a massive six over the off side off Shardul Thakur. Shardul bowled one on a good length around the off stump and Vaibhav stayed angled towards leg to carve the drive high and over cover for a stunning maximum.
The left-handed batsman made history in IPL 2025 by becoming the youngest player ever to score a century in the tournament – smashing 101 off 38 balls against Gujarat Titans at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur.
It was the fastest century by an Indian and the second fastest in IPL history. This remarkable knock firmly established him as one of the most exciting young prospects in world cricket.
In seven matches in IPL 2025, Sooryavanshi has scored 252 runs at an average of 36 and a strike of 206.55 with a top score of 101. Before the IPL auction last December, Sooryavanshi was one of the 13 players retained by the Royals.
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Issued by:
sabyasachi chowdhury
Published on:
15 March 2026 22:55 IST
