'Woke up to watch an 8th grader': Google CEO Sundar Pichai left awestruck by 14-year-old IPL debutant

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Vaibhav Suryavanshi, a 14-year-old batting prodigy, became the youngest IPL player for Rajasthan Royals, smashing a six on his first ball. His impressive 34-run innings and partnership with Yashasvi Jaiswal caught the eye of Google CEO Sundar Pichai. Despite Suryavanshi’s debut and other strong performances, the Royals narrowly lost to Lucknow Super Giants by 2 runs.

Google CEO Sundar Pichai was among the many who were left awestruck by 14-year-old batting prodigy Vaibhav Suryavanshi.

On Saturday evening, at just 14 years and 23 days old, Vaibhav Suryavanshi etched his name in history as the youngest cricketer to play in the IPL. The Rajasthan Royals management handed Suryavanshi his debut after their regular captain, Sanju Samson, was sidelined due to a thumb injury.

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Hailing from the Samastipur district of Bihar, the left-handed batsman sent a wave of excitement through the Sawai Mansingh Stadium crowd when he powerfully struck the very first ball he faced for a massive six.

By hitting a six on his first delivery, Suryavanshi joined an exclusive club that includes players like Rob Quiney (RR), Kevon Cooper (RR), Andre Russell (KKR), Carlos Brathwaite (DD, now Delhi Capitals), Aniket Choudhary (RCB), Javon Searles (KKR), Siddesh Lad (MI), Mahesh Theekshana (CSK), and Sameer Rizvi (CSK).

Suryavanshi played a quick and impactful innings, scoring 34 runs off just 20 balls. He also formed a strong 85-run opening partnership with Yashasvi Jaiswal against the Lucknow Super Giants.

His impressive batting even caught the attention of Google CEO Sundar Pichai, who expressed his amazement on X, writing: “Woke up to watch an 8th grader play in the IPL!!!! What a debut!”

Suryavanshi had already made headlines in the IPL 2025 auction when, at the age of 13, he became the youngest player to secure an IPL contract, with the Royals acquiring his services for Rs 1.1 crore.

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He has also represented India Under-19, notably scoring a rapid 58-ball century in a four-day game against Australia U-19.

Despite Suryavanshi’s remarkable debut, the Rajasthan Royals narrowly lost the match by 2 runs.

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Aiden Markram and Ayush Badoni scored half-centuries and contributed a crucial 76-run partnership for the fourth wicket, helping Lucknow Super Giants reach a total of 180 for 5.

In their reply, Jaiswal (74), Riyan Parag (39), and the young Vaibhav (34) put Rajasthan Royals in a promising position. However, Avesh Khan’s impressive bowling performance, taking 3 wickets for 37 runs, including the crucial wickets of Jaiswal, Parag, and Shimron Hetmyer, restricted the home team to 178 for 5.

Rajasthan Royals will next face Royal Challengers Bengaluru on April 24 at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium.

Get the latest IPL 2025 updates on Times of India, including match schedules, team squads, points table and IPL live score for CSK, MI, RCB, KKR, SRH, LSG, DC, GT, PBKS, and RR. Don’t miss the list of players in the race for IPL Orange Cap and IPL Purple cap.

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