Youngster Vaibhav Suryavanshi makes history in IPL auction
- Vaibhav Suryavanshi was sold for 11 million rupees to Rajasthan Royals.
- Jimmy Anderson went unsold despite being higher priced than Suryavanshi.
- The IPL auction reflects a growing trend towards youth in player selections.
In the 2025 Indian Premier League auction, held on a Monday, Indian teenager Vaibhav Suryavanshi made headlines by becoming the youngest player to secure a contract. He was signed by the Rajasthan Royals for 11 million rupees, approximately £104,000. The teenager's remarkable achievement came shortly after a stunning performance where he scored a century in just 58 balls in an unofficial Test match against Australia Under-19s. Despite his youthful talent, England's all-time leading Test wicket-taker, Jimmy Anderson, went unsold in this auction despite being priced higher than Suryavanshi. The auction saw other significant movements, including top players like Will Jacks and Sam Curran being acquired, while many experienced cricketers remained without a team, indicating a shift in focus towards younger talent in the game. As the IPL approaches its season starting on March 14, 2025, the dynamics of player selection and the emphasis on youth are becoming increasingly evident.