Sanju Samson Makes Way for 14-Year-Old Vaibhav Suryavanshi After Record-Breaking IPL Century

Sanju Samson Backs Young Star After Historic Feat

Sanju Samson’s call to give up his opening spot in the IPL 2025 took everyone by surprise. The Rajasthan Royals skipper has always been known for his ability with the bat, but this time, he chose to show his leadership off the field. Why the change? A 14-year-old named Vaibhav Suryavanshi set the cricket world on fire with a blazing 35-ball century against Gujarat Titans — the fastest by such a young player in T20 cricket, making him the youngest ever to reach three figures in this format.

For context, most players get their IPL break only after years of grinding through age-group cricket. Suryavanshi, still not old enough to celebrate his achievement with a driving license or a late-night coffee at most cafés, smashed 11 sixes and a couple of fours in an innings that looked like it belonged to a video game rather than a professional league. His fearless batting style not only electrified the stadium but also forced teams and coaches everywhere to pay attention.

A Captain’s Selfless Act Gives Rise to a New Era

Returning from an earlier injury that kept him out of much of the season, Samson had every right to take back his favored opening role alongside Yashasvi Jaiswal. Instead, he bumped himself down to No.3. His logic was straightforward: Suryavanshi had done something that demanded respect, regardless of his age. By making way for the prodigy, Samson sent the message that form trumps reputation and that no one is bigger than the team.

“If someone has done something extraordinary, you have to respect that no matter his age,” Samson said in a mid-match interview. Those words resonated with former players and fans all over the globe, who praised Samson’s maturity and willingness to put RR’s success before personal stats.

The move also kept Rajasthan Royals’ aggressive start going. With Suryavanshi opening alongside Jaiswal, opposition bowlers had to rethink their plans. The duo tore through powerplay overs against Punjab Kings as well, giving RR quick starts and putting the pressure back on the fielding side right from the first ball. The chemistry between the experienced Jaiswal and the fearless Suryavanshi has added a whole new spark to the team’s approach.

This story isn’t just about a big score or a captain’s decision. It’s about trust, belief, and seizing the moment — and for a 14-year-old who’s suddenly become the talk of international cricket, it’s only the beginning. One thing is clear: IPL 2025 won’t be remembered just for runs and wickets. It’ll be remembered for that bold step when a seasoned leader backed raw talent on the biggest stage, igniting hope for every young player who dreams of making it big.