IPL 2025: Teen Sensation Vaibhav Suryavanshi Stuns Jofra Archer with Fearless Hitting in Nets

14-year-old Vaibhav Suryavanshi makes a bold statement in Rajasthan Royals‘ nets session. He dispatches Jofra Archer with ease. This shows why the IPL remains a dream stage for young Indian cricketers.

Rajasthan Royals’ INR 1.10 crore investment in teenage prodigy Vaibhav Suryavanshi is already making waves— not on the scoreboard just yet, but in the practice nets. Ahead of their crunch clash against Royal Challengers Bengaluru, the 14-year-old left-hander took on England‘s pace spearhead Jofra Archer and displayed remarkable composure, power, and poise.

In a video shared by the Royals on X (formerly Twitter), the southpaw could be seen confidently facing Archer’s pace, pulling, cutting, and even lofting the England international with flair. What was expected to be a tough test for the teenager turned into a spectacle, with Vaibhav leaving even Archer breathless after a brutal nets session.

No signs of nerves, only class

Facing someone like Jofra Archer — known for his raw pace and hostile bounce — can be daunting even for the most established names. But Vaibhav appeared unfazed. He middled nearly every delivery, and only one short ball beat his bat. One particular pickup shot off Archer’s pads stood out — a shot that would’ve made even Yuvraj Singh proud.

The Rajasthan Royals captioned the video, “Vaibhav vs Archer. Where else, if not the IPL?!”

The post soon went viral, attracting reactions from the cricketing world. Among the most notable responses came from South Africa spinner Tabraiz Shamsi, who hailed the IPL for preparing young Indian talents to face elite bowlers early in their careers.

“A 13-year-old facing Jofra in the nets! You think he’s gonna be worried if he plays for India and has to face quick bowlers in international cricket? The IPL has done wonders for Indian cricket… The SA20 League is going to do the same for South Africa,” Shamsi wrote on X.

A glimpse into the future of Indian cricket?

Suryavanshi is yet to make his official IPL debut. But moments like these in the nets are adding to the hype. India’s domestic and age-group cricket is brimming with talent. The IPL continues to serve as a launchpad — not just for U-19 stars but now seemingly for even younger prodigies.

Questions remain about how soon Vaibhav will be blooded in the tournament. What’s evident is the level of confidence and skill he brings at such a young age. Rajasthan Royals have always backed youth.  If Vaibhav’s net heroics are anything to go by, a debut may not be far away.

Royals look to bounce back on the field

Meanwhile, the Sanju Samson-led Rajasthan Royals find themselves at a crossroads in the tournament. They have just 4 points from 5 matches and currently sitting at seventh place on the table. Their recent loss to Gujarat Titans has raised concerns.

Initially led by Riyan Parag in Samson’s absence due to wicketkeeping restrictions, the team is now back under Samson’s leadership after his clearance from the National Cricket Academy.

Their next challenge? A crucial home match against Faf du Plessis’ Royal Challengers Bengaluru at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur.

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