A Historic Night for Vaibhav Suryavanshi
Monday turned into a historic night for Indian cricket as Vaibhav Suryavanshi, the young sensation from Rajasthan Royals, made headlines by becoming the youngest Indian to score a century in the Indian Premier League (IPL). The 19-year-old from Samastipur, Bihar, was in blistering form as he tore through the Gujarat Titans’ bowling attack with confidence, elegance, and sheer power.
His innings left not just the fans in awe but also cricket experts across the nation. With every boundary and six, Vaibhav’s stature grew, and so did the pride of Bihar, a state that has long remained in the shadows of India’s cricketing map.
Recalling the Early Days: Ashutosh Aman Shares Insights
Ashutosh Aman, former captain of the Bihar Ranji team and one of Vaibhav’s earliest mentors, shared an emotional recollection of the youngster’s first-class debut. Aman, who led Bihar when Vaibhav made his Ranji Trophy debut against Mumbai, recalled his initial concerns about exposing such a young player to high-pressure cricket.
“Those four days, I was very nervous. When I saw him at the nets, I really wanted him to play. Even the selectors and the Bihar Cricket Association (BCA) were excited to give him a chance. But I was afraid – what if he got injured? Could he handle the pressure?”
Despite the nerves, Vaibhav impressed everyone during his debut, scoring 19 runs in the first innings. While the knock wasn’t a big one, Aman had already seen enough to make a bold prediction in the dressing room:
“Bihar ko pehla cricketing superstar mil gaya.”
(Bihar has found its first cricketing superstar.)
The Challenges of Cricket in Bihar
Cricket in Bihar has historically struggled due to a lack of infrastructure, limited opportunities, and administrative challenges. After the state’s separation from Jharkhand, Bihar’s cricketing scene took a major hit, while Jharkhand, led by the meteoric rise of MS Dhoni, gained national and global attention.
Vaibhav himself, in earlier interviews, has acknowledged the struggles of pursuing cricket in Bihar.
“There was no cricket in Bihar, and those who tried to play had no support. Many were left unemployed and disheartened. Let’s not even talk about the infrastructure,” Aman added.
The struggles of aspiring cricketers in Bihar have often gone unnoticed. Many players either shifted to other states or gave up altogether. However, with Vaibhav’s emergence, that tide may finally be turning.
The MS Dhoni Parallel: A New Hope for Bihar
Ashutosh Aman believes that Vaibhav Suryavanshi’s rise has the potential to bring about a cricketing revolution in Bihar, just like MS Dhoni’s success did for Jharkhand two decades ago.
“When I saw Vaibhav hitting those sixes yesterday, I got emotional. It felt like a turning point. He will be for Bihar what MS Dhoni is for Jharkhand,” Aman said.
“He has put Bihar back on the cricketing map. People now know about Samastipur. That’s a big deal.”
The comparison with Dhoni isn’t made lightly. Dhoni’s journey from Ranchi to becoming one of India’s most successful captains not only inspired a generation but also transformed Jharkhand into a recognized cricketing state. Aman hopes Vaibhav can do the same for Bihar.
A Knock to Remember: Vaibhav’s IPL Century
Vaibhav Suryavanshi’s century was more than just a personal milestone—it was symbolic of the hunger, talent, and fearless attitude that young cricketers from smaller towns bring to the game. He began his IPL journey by hitting a six off Shardul Thakur and reached his century with another six, this time off Rashid Khan, one of the best T20 bowlers in the world.
Such audacity and confidence are rare in debutants, and Vaibhav’s knock showed that he isn’t just here to participate—he’s here to dominate.
Fearless by Nature: The Bihari Spirit
Aman summed up the essence of Vaibhav’s fearless performance by attributing it to the intrinsic mindset of people from Bihar.
“One thing that’s in Bihari DNA is that we don’t fear anything. We’ve got nothing to lose, and that gives us the freedom to play our natural game.”
Vaibhav’s fearless approach is already being celebrated as a representation of the never-say-die spirit of Bihar. His success is inspiring young kids across the state to dream big, pick up the bat or ball, and chase cricketing glory.