In a remarkable move ahead of the new Ranji Trophy season, Bihar have named 14-year-old batting sensation Vaibhav Suryavanshi as the team’s vice-captain for their opening two matches. The young cricketer’s elevation marks a significant milestone in his budding career and reflects the state’s faith in his exceptional talent.

Sakibul Gani, one of Bihar’s most consistent performers in recent domestic seasons, will lead the side as captain. His experience and steady presence are expected to guide the youthful squad, which features a promising mix of emerging and seasoned players aiming to make an early statement in the competition.

Bihar are set to begin their campaign against Arunachal Pradesh in the Plate League opener at the Moin-ul-Haq Stadium in Patna on October 15. All eyes will be on the young vice-captain, whose selection has already generated excitement among fans and cricket enthusiasts across the state.

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A Remarkable Achievement for Vaibhav Suryavanshi:

The Bihar Cricket Association announced the squad late on Sunday, confirming the lineup for the upcoming Ranji Trophy season. After a disappointing campaign last year, where Bihar failed to secure even one victory, the team now finds itself competing in the Plate League, determined to bounce back with renewed energy and stronger performances.

Vaibhav Suryavanshi made his Ranji Trophy debut at just 12 during the 2023–24 season. A year later, he created history by becoming the youngest player, at 13, to earn an IPL contract with Rajasthan Royals. He has also represented India Under-19 on tours to England and Australia, showcasing his rapid rise in junior cricket.

At just 14, Vaibhav Suryavanshi made history with a blistering 35-ball hundred for Rajasthan Royals against Gujarat Titans, becoming the youngest player ever in men’s cricket to score a T20 century. His explosive knock also ranked as the second-fastest century in the Indian Premier League, highlighting his extraordinary talent at such a young age.

Vaibhav Suryavanshi may not feature in all of Bihar’s Ranji Trophy matches this season, as he is expected to be in contention for India’s Under-19 World Cup squad. The tournament, scheduled to take place in Zimbabwe and Namibia early next year, could see the young talent representing the country on the global stage.

Squad of Bihar for Ranji Trophy:

Piyush Kumar Singh, Bhashkar Dubey, Sakibul Gani (c), Vaibhav Suryavanshi (vc), Arnav Kishor, Ayush Loharuka, Bipin Saurabh, Sachin Kumar Singh, Himanshu Singh, Khalid Alam, Sachin Kumar, Amod Yadav, Nawaz Khan, Sakib Hussain, Raghvendra Pratap Singh

The 14-year-old opening batter of the Rajasthan Royals, Vaibhav Suryavanshi, has a major responsibility for the 2025-26 season of Ranji Trophy as he will be the vice-captain of the Bihar side for the first two rounds that will begin on October 15. The squad will be led by the batter, Sakibul Gani, as the appointment came just two days before the start of the season.

Suryavanshi’s elevation came on the back of a rich run of form for India’s Under-19 side on the tour of Australia, where he contributed incredibly for the national side. He smashed a 78-ball century in the first four-day match in Brisbane and ended as the second-highest run-getter of the multi-day series. He collected 133 runs in three innings as they earned a 2-0 series victory.

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Suryavanshi was also among the runs in England when he nailed the fastest century in the youth one-dayers in Worcester. In five fixtures, he creamed 355 runs at a strike rate of nearly 175, which was comfortably the most runs in a series.

Vaibhav Suryavanshi gets vice-captaincy of Bihar at age of 14 in Ranji Trophy 2025-26

The left-handed batter has played just five first-class games since debuting in January 2024 at 12 years and 284 days. But he has aggregated only 100 runs in ten innings with a best of 41. Earlier this year, he hit the headlines by becoming the youngest centurion in men’s T20S as he punched 101 runs in 38 balls for Rajasthan Royals against Gujarat Titans.

Bihar went through a poor last season in the red-ball domestic event with no victories. They managed a solitary pint in seven games, out of which they faced six defeats. They are part of the Plate group this season and will open the campaign against Arunachal Pradesh in Patna before facing Manipur in Nadiad from October 25.

Bihar’s squad for Ranji Trophy 2025-26

Piyush Kumar Singh, Bhashkar Dubey, Sakibul Gani (captain), Vaibhav Suryavanshi (vice-captain), Arnav Kishor, Ayush Loharuka, Bipin Saurabh, Amod Yadav, Nawaz Khan, Sakib Hussain, Raghvendra Pratap Singh, Sachin Kumar Singh, Himanshu Singh, Khalid Alam, Sachin Kumar

The upcoming youngster for the Indian side, Vaibhav Suryavanshi, had a fabulous debut season in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 for the Rajasthan Royals when he smashed 265 runs in eight innings at an average of 33.12 and a strike rate of 207.03 with one fifty and one century. His growth across formats has been supreme.

During the last India Under-19 youth Test against Australia in Brisbane, he smashed 113 runs. Reflecting on the southpaw’s success, the Rajasthan Royals (RR) Director of High Performance, Zubin Bharucha, feels that the young batter should be fast-tracked to the senior side like Sachin Tendulkar was in the last 80s.

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“He should be blooded into the senior team immediately, like Sachin was all those years ago. They have to blood this guy immediately, boss, because he is in another zone only. At least send him on an India A tour. Send him to India A immediately. I'm telling you, this Australian attack that is here, bowling to India A guys, he would have got a double hundred.” Bharucha expressed on Times of India (TOI).

RR’s director of high performance wants Vaibhav Suryavanshi to play for India A

Bharucha recalled how he was scared when Jofra Archer was bowling at Suryavanshi in the nets. However, the left-handed batter clubbed the pacer on the backfoot for a six. In the recent three-match youth ODI series, he drilled 124 runs in three innings.

“He smoked Jofra Archer in the nets. Jofra Archer, when he bowls in the nets, he's a demon. He never bowls a warm-up ball when the batter is there. He absolutely charges in. And actually, Jofra Archer knocked off Steve Smith's head in a practice session we had before the Ashes. Smith was struggling against him.” Bharucha explained.

“From that day onwards, he never went inside the net when Jofra was bowling. When he was bowling to Vaibhav, I was scared, and this boy hit one shot on the back foot, and it went out of the stadium. All the coaching staff, even Jofra, were stunned.” RR’s director of high performance addressed.

Vaibhav Suryavanshi again played a record-breaking innings, a 78-ball century, on the second day of the opening Youth Test against Australia Under-19 at the Ian Healy Oval in Brisbane on Wednesday. The last century shattered multiple international records.

Because of the ton, the 14-year-old is now the owner of the fastest Youth Test hundred on Australian soil, surpassing Liam Blackford’s 124-ball innings for Australia U-19 against England in January 2023. The emerging India batter completed his century in 78 balls and eventually scored 113 off just 86 deliveries. The innings was laced with nine fours and eight sixes.

This is not the first time Suryavanshi scored a blistering hundred in the format. Before this innings, last year, in Chennai, the batter struck a 56-ball hundred against Australia U-19, which was the second fastest hundred after Moeen Ali’s 56-ball exploits for England in 2005. Vaibhav has now a couple of centuries claimed in less than 100 balls in the Youth Test category, like Brendon McCullum did for New Zealand. So far, 2025 has been proving to be a dream year for the top-order batsman.

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Vaibhav Suryavanshi broke multiple records 

Earlier in the year, he caught the headlines by scoring a 35-ball century for Rajasthan Royals in IPL 2025, the fastest century by an Indian cricketer in the history of the tournament. He is continuing the stellar form for Indian U19 as well. In IPL 2025, the Bihar-born player played 7 matches and scored 252 runs at an average of 36.00, powered by a century and a half-century. 

Only a week before, in the Youth Test, Suryavanshi broke the all-time record for the most career sixes in Youth ODI cricket during the second India U-19 vs Australia U-19 50-over match at the Ian Healy Oval in Brisbane on Wednesday. In the process he broke Unmukt Chand's six-hitting record. It was the 39th Youth ODI, six, Vaibhav. 

The India Men's U19 in the Australia ODI series has attracted significant attention from Indian cricket fans, as there are multiple promising youngsters in the Blue. Apart from Ayush Mhatre and Vaibhav Suryavanshi, there are at least two other batters who, so far, looked promising enough to play in the Indian Premier League (IPL).

India U19 scored 300 runs in 49.4 overs against the Australia U19 team at Ian Healy Oval, in Brisbane. Ayush, captain of India U19, departed for a duck, though his opening partner, Vaibhav, played another impressive 70-run knock. The seventy-run innings he played against 68 deliveries did not justify his aggressive mindset. From the lower order, it was Vihaan Malhotra and Abhigyan Kundu who enriched the run tally. Malhotra and Kundu scored 70 and 71 runs, respectively.

Due to IPL 2025, Mhatre and Suryavanshi got the opportunity to make headlines on big occasions. But Malhotra and Kundu, who proved their abilities in various age group competitions, are yet to receive an IPL contract. Ahead of IPL 2026, when multiple franchises are planning to reinforce their batting lineup, half centuries from those two batters can make positive impressions. 

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Short introductions about Malhotra and Kundu

Who is Vihaan Malhotra? 

Hailing from Patiala, the 18-year-old has been scoring runs significantly. Before that Youth ODI series against Australia A, the batter scored a couple of hundreds against the England A team and two half centuries as well. He can bowl as well. Against England A, during youth test matches, he picked up few wickets as well.

Who is Abhigyan Kundu?

The 17-year-old Mumbaikar is another prodigy from the India U19 teams, who has already left positive impressions through his batting and keeping. His capability to understand the situation of a match makes him different from others. During the previous Youth ODI against Australia U19, the left-handed batter scored an unbeaten 87 runs for a winning cause in the second innings and took a couple of catches behind the wicket as well. Against England U19, during a Youth Test, he missed a century only for 10 runs. 

India’s new sensational batter, Vaibhav Suryavanshi, has continued his aggressive trend with the bat during the second 50-over clash between Australia and India in the U-19 games. He cracked the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 for the Rajasthan Royals as the fans were not left disappointed at the Ian Healy Oval in Brisbane during the Youth ODI.

During the clash, Suryavanshi broke the record for most sixes by an Indian player in the competition. The previous record belonged to the former U-19 World Cup-winning captain, Unmukt Chand, with 38 sixes over boundaries, while Yashasvi Jaiswal and the wicket-keeper batter, Sanju Samson, clubbed 30 and 22 sixes respectively in the list.

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Vaibhav has now nailed 41 sixes in just 10 appearances of the Youth ODI. He has also hit a six off 13 balls that he has faced approximately in the One-day cricket. The southpaw smashed 70 runs in 68 balls at a strike rate of 102.94, with the help of five boundaries and six sixes over boundaries.

Vaibhav Suryavanshi breaks Unmukt Chand’s record during AUS U19 vs IND U19 ODI

The captain of the Indian side, Ayush Mhatre, got dismissed on the second ball of the innings for a duck. But there was a 117-run stand for the second wicket between Vaibhav and Vihaan Malhotra. The latter nailed 70 runs in 74 deliveries at a strike rate of 94.59, with the help of seven boundaries and one six.

Their wicket-keeper batter, Abhigyan Kundu, clubbed 64 runs in 61 balls at a strike rate of 104.92, with the help of five boundaries and one six. Vedant Trivedi smacked 26 runs in 33 balls as the Indian U-19 side posted 299/8 in 49 overs by the latest update of the scorecard.

During the opening game of the series, India earned a seven-wicket victory during the 227-run chase. Vaibhav smacked 38 runs in 22 balls in that game at a strike rate of 172.73 while Vedant and Kundu celebrated their respective half-centuries. With the ball, Henil Patel picked up three wickets while Kanisk Chouhan and Kishan Kumar shared four wickets between them.

India’s U19 squad will look to wrap up the limited-overs series in Australia when they face the hosts in the second Youth ODI on Wednesday, September 24. The Ayush Mhatre-led side enters the contest with momentum firmly in their favor.

In the opening match, pacer Kishan Kumar gave India the perfect start, removing opener Alex Turner with the very first ball. Despite a gritty 77* from John James lower down the order, Australia’s batting effort lacked firepower and they were restricted to 225 in their 50 overs.

The chase never looked challenging for the young Indians. Fourteen-year-old prodigy Vaibhav Suryavanshi entertained with a dazzling 38, featuring seven boundaries and a stylish six. Later, wicketkeeper Abhigyan Kundu’s unbeaten 87 off 74 balls, supported by Vedant Sharma’s solid 61*, steered India home with ease. The visitors cruised to victory in Brisbane, sealing the win with nearly 20 overs left.

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Squads:

India U-19 Squad:

Ayush Mhatre (C), Vihaan Malhotra (VC), Vaibhav Suryavanshi, Vedant Trivedi, Rahul Kumar, Abhigyan Kundu (WK), Henil Patel, D Deepesh, Kishan Kumar, Anmoljeet Singh, Khilan Patel, Udhav Mohan, Aman Chauhan, Harvansh Singh (WK), Naman Pushpak, R S Ambrish, Kanishk Chouhan

Australia U-19 Squad:

Simon Budge, Alex Turner, Yash Deshmukh, Tom Hogan, Steve Hogan, Will Malajczuk, Aryan Sharma, John James, Kasey Barton, Alex Lee Young, Jayden Draper, Hayden Schiller, Charles Lachmund, Ben Gordon, Will Byrom. Reserves: Zed Hollick, Tom Paddington, Julian Osborne

IND U19 vs AUS U19 2nd ODI – Streaming Info:

• When and where will the India U19 face Australia U19 in the second ODI?

The second Youth ODI between India U19 and Australia U19 is scheduled at Brisbane’s Ian Healy Oval, starting at 9:30 AM IST, where both teams will aim for a crucial series win.

• Where can viewers watch the live broadcast of the India U19 vs Australia U19 second ODI?

The second Youth ODI between India U19 and Australia U19 will be broadcast live on the Star Sports Network, allowing fans to follow all the action from the match in real time.

• Where can fans stream the India U19 vs Australia U19 second ODI live online?

Fans can watch the India U19 vs Australia U19 second Youth ODI live online through JioHotstar, offering convenient access to all the match action and updates from anywhere.

With the India U-19 side locking horns with Australia for the first of the three-match youth ODI series at Ian Healy Oval in Brisbane, the focus was on the left-handed, young, and dynamic opening batter, Vaibhav Suryavanshi. He had an excellent start in the 2025 season of the Indian Premier League (IPL) for the Rajasthan Royals. 

Suryavanshi, who smashed 252 runs in seven innings of the IPL 2025 at an average of 36 and a strike rate of 206.55 with one fifty and a century, looked promising coming into the ODI series against Australia down under. During the opening Under-19 game, his aggression has gone viral on social media platforms.

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It was a short delivery from the right-arm Australia pacer at the body of the batter, who pulled the short ball over the fine leg region for a huge six as the ball nearly flew off the ground. That was a magnificent shot from the 14-year-old, who has cracked records in such a short span of his career.

Watch: Vaibhav Suryavanshi smashes huge six during India U19 vs Australia U19 clash in Brisbane

Earlier in the innings, Australia found themselves struggling for 35/4 in the ninth over of the innings before they somehow strolled their way to 225/9 in their allotted 50 overs of the first innings. John James clubbed a fine unbeaten knock of 77 runs in 68 balls with the help of 113.24, with the help of six boundaries and one six. Tom Hogan also smashed 41 runs in the innings.

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi dealing in maximums… where have we seen this sight before?

AUS U19 🆚 IND U19 ▶️ 1st Youth ODI LIVE NOW 👉 https://t.co/JE8yCo5CYg pic.twitter.com/gaf3pkBdqa

— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) September 21, 2025

In reply, Suryavanshi drilled 38 runs in 22 balls at a strike rate of 172.73 with seven boundaries and one six. Vedant Trivedi and wicket-keeper batter, Abhigyan Kundu, celebrated a 150+ run stand for the fourth wicket with respective half-centuries to find themselves close to victory.

The second clash of the series will take place on September 24, before the final game is on September 26 at the same venue. The Ian Healy Oval will also host the first four-day unofficial Test from September 30, while for the second and final game, the action will move to Great Barrier Reef Arena in Mackay from October 07.

The former Indian opening batter and selector, Krishnamachari Srikkanth, has expressed a different opinion in selecting India’s openers for the upcoming Asia Cup 2025 in the United Arab Emirates, starting from the second week of September. He suggested that Sanju Samson should not open the batting, given his struggles against the short ball.

Samson, who struggled during India’s home series against England earlier this year, has smashed 861 T20I runs in 38 innings, along with the number one T20I batter, Abhishek Sharma, who drilled 535 runs in 16 innings. Srikkanth, however, has backed the Punjab-born in the opening slot.

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“Sanju Samson was found wanting against the short ball against England. According to me, it’s doubtful that he will open. If I were a selector, Abhishek Sharma would be my No. 1 choice. No. 2, I would go for either Vaibhav Suryavanshi or Sai Sudharsan. I would have Vaibhav Suryavanshi in my 15-member T20 World Cup squad as well.” Kris Srikkanth expressed on his YouTube channel.  

Kris Srikkanth picks Vaibhav Suryavanshi and Sai Sudharsan for Asia Cup 2025

Srikkanth has gone with Vaibhav Suryavanshi and Sai Sudharsan as India’s two openers for the event. The former is the 14-year-old kid, who smashed 252 runs at a strike rate of 206.55 in his first season of IPL for Rajasthan Royals. Sudharsan, on the other hand, clubbed 759 runs in IPL 2025 at a strike rate of 156.17, with six half-centuries and one century.

“Sai Sudharsan is the Orange Cap holder. He has been doing very well, and Yashasvi Jaiswal as well. So, one of Sudharsan, Suryavanshi, or Jaiswal should open with Abhishek. That would be my choice. This is a very competitive world. The choice can be between Samson and Jitesh Sharma as the keeper-batter.” The former Tamil Nadu batter addressed during the interaction.

As of now, the selection committee is expected to pick Samson and Abhishek as the two openers, with Tilka Verma slotted at number three. There are reports of the Test captain, Shubman Gill, making a surprising inclusion in the squad. The selection committee will meet on August 19 to pick the 15-member squad.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has officially announced a 17-member squad for the upcoming India Under-19 tour of Australia, which will take place from September 21 to October 10. The young Indian colts will be in action against their counterparts from Australia in 3 Youth ODIs and 2 four-day matches. The players to watch in this series are the exciting young players who starred in the Under-19 tournament played recently in England.

Ayush Mhatre, who led the side during the England tour, will continue as captain, with Vihaan Malhotra named vice-captain. India won the Youth ODI series in England 3-2 and drew both Tests, showcasing the team’s depth across formats. Mhatre, who scored two centuries and a fifty in the Test leg, was the leading run-getter across both sides. His deputy, Malhotra, also displayed stellar form, scoring 243 runs in ODIs and 277 in Tests.

The squad also features 14-year-old sensation Vaibhav Suryavanshi, who smashed a 64-ball century in England, the fastest in Youth ODI history. Other consistent performers like Naman Pushpak, Henil Patel, and Kanishk Chouhan have retained their places. The Indian team will begin their Australian sojourn with a trio of one-dayers at Norths before heading into the multi-day matches in Norths and Mackay.

India U19 Tour of Australia – Match Schedule

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India U19 Squad:

Ayush Mhatre (C), Vihaan Malhotra (VC), Vaibhav Suryavanshi, Vedant Trivedi, Rahul Kumar, Abhigyan Kundu (WK), Harvansh Singh (WK), R S Ambrish, Kanishk Chouhan, Naman Pushpak, Henil Patel, D. Deepesh, Kishan Kumar, Anmoljeet Singh, Khilan Patel, Udhav Mohan, Aman Chauhan.

Standbys: Yudhajit Guha, Laxman, B.K. Kishore, Alankrith Rapole, Arnav Bugga.

With a strong core and momentum on their side, India U19 will be keen to dominate Down Under and build towards next year’s U19 World Cup.