At the age of 15, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has taken the Indian Premier League (IPL) by storm and already holds plenty of records in the league and is set to become a player that will serve Rajasthan Royals (RR) for a long time. He should become their biggest brand too, with a debut for the national team not far away, which will mean he breaks Sachin Tendulkar’s record and becomes India’s youngest-ever international cricketer ever.
However, when RR signed him for a huge amount of ₹1.1 crore, many raised eyebrows as the 2008 champions spent big money to sign a 13-year-old player during the 2025 IPL mega auction. However, in an interaction with EspnCricinfoZubin Bharucha (RR’s Director of High Performance) has revealed he told the franchise to break the bank on him and told them to sign ₹10 crore. It is worth noting that four years ago it was Barucha, who had told the Royals to sign Yashasvi Jaiswal too.
Bharucha revealed that he was left in disbelief watching during the franchise’s trials, which were held before the auction in Talegaon, Maharashtra, while facing a left-arm pacer as he smashed the first ball for a six. The former Mumbai cricketer claimed the teenager reminded him of seeing Jaiswal for the first time.
It reminded me of the first ball I saw Jaiswal face at a trial at DY Patil Stadium – he walked across and flicked it over short fine leg for four. Sanju Samson, the same thing – first ball in Jaipur at the practice ground. Amit Singh banged in a bouncer and he hit it onto the roof of the indoor stadium. first ball, what different did you do.” [did something different]” said Bharucha.
The RR mentor also revealed how a six of a sidearm specialist at a pace of 157 km/h sealed his faith in the Bihar cricketer. He revealed he told the Royals management that he is a player that is Jaiswal multiplied by two.
“After the trials finished, I sent everyone away. I didn’t want to embarrass the others, so I called Vaibhav back alone. We had these sidearm guys who could crank it up to 157-158kph. One of them is about 6’4”, so you can imagine the release point. I gave them a new ball and said, ‘Attack him, boss.’ I told Vaibhav they’d be quick. He just said, ‘Haan Sir, no problem. The first few balls, he left. But even that stood out. The way he was leaving, it felt like there was no pace on the ball. The keeper was standing 30 yards back and he’s just… so comfortably leaving them,” Bharucha recalled.
“One of the sidearmers hit the deck hard, and Vaibhav hit it straight over the sightscreen for six. I asked for the ball speed, and it measured 157 kph! That’s not normal. Not even for the best. To do that off your fourth or fifth ball facing that pace – that’s when you know this is something incredibly special.
“I told them, he’s Jaiswal multiplied by two already. You’re looking at something incredible… Can’t believe he has come to our doorstep. Don’t miss this chance,” he added.
