Tharoor Advocates for Suryavanshi's Inclusion in Team India

Congress MP Shashi Tharoor has sparked discussions in Indian cricket by likening 14-year-old Vaibhav Suryavanshi to cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar. He called on the Board of Control for Cricket in India to expedite Suryavanshi’s entry into the national squad.

Following Suryavanshi’s remarkable performance in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, Tharoor expressed his admiration on X, stating: “The last time a fourteen-year-old showcased such exceptional cricketing ability, it was Sachin Tendulkar — and look at his journey. What’s stopping us? Vaibhav Suryavanshi should play for India!” He tagged prominent figures in Indian cricket.

Record-setting Performance at 14

Suryavanshi left the cricket world in awe during a Plate League match for Bihar against Arunachal Pradesh on December 24, becoming the youngest person at 14 years and 272 days to score a century in men’s List A cricket. This significant milestone was achieved with just 36 balls, marking it as the fourth-fastest List A century by an Indian.

In his seventh List A match, the young star exceeded expectations, scoring an impressive 190 runs off 84 deliveries, including 16 fours and 15 sixes, boasting a strike rate of 226.19.

Moreover, Suryavanshi shattered AB de Villiers’ long-held record for the quickest 150 in men’s List A cricket, reaching it in a mere 59 balls.

Unprecedented Team Score

Bihar achieved an astonishing 574/6, a record total in List A cricket. Skipper Sakibul Gani contributed with an unbeaten 128 off just 40 deliveries, while Ayush Loharuka scored 116 off 56. Arunachal Pradesh was bowled out for 177, resulting in a significant 398-run triumph for Bihar.

Consistency Across Competitions

Suryavanshi’s performance on Wednesday wasn’t merely a flash in the pan. Earlier this month, he scored an unbeaten 108 off 61 balls against Maharashtra in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, becoming the youngest century maker in the tournament’s history.

At the youth level, his statistics are equally impressive. He notched up 171 runs off 95 balls against the UAE in the Under-19 Asia Cup in Dubai, narrowly missing Ambati Rayudu’s long-standing record for Indian youth one-day matches. He continued his streak with a century against Australia Under-19 in a Youth Test in Brisbane.

Rapid Ascension

In 2025, Suryavanshi's rise accelerated, as he became the youngest player chosen in an IPL auction at age 13. He later scored his first IPL century for Rajasthan Royals, amassing 101 runs off just 38 balls against Gujarat Titans. In IPL 2025, he ended with 252 runs from seven matches at a striking rate of 206.55.

Since then, the young player has displayed continued excellence in youth tours in England and Australia, scoring 355 runs in England alone at a strike rate of 174.01. In 15 youth ODIs, he maintains an impressive average of over 51, with two centuries and three half-centuries.

With performances that seem beyond his years and comparisons now being made to the best in the game, Suryavanshi's rapid ascent has established him as a focal point in discussions about the future of Indian cricket.