NEW DELHI: India's teenage cricket prodigy Vaibhav Suryavanshi, recently signed by Rajasthan Royals for Rs 1.1 crore in the IPL 2025 Auction, has become embroiled in an age-related controversy.
The debate was sparked by former Pakistani cricketer Junaid Khan, who questioned the authenticity of 13-year-old Vaibhav's age following his extraordinary performance in the U-19 Asia Cup, deeming it exceptional for someone so young.
Vaibhav delivered a sensational knock against Sri Lanka, scoring a blistering 67 runs off just 36 balls, featuring five fours and five massive sixes.
His explosive innings not only made him India’s joint top-scorer in the tournament but also fueled speculation about how a player his age could demonstrate such power-hitting ability.
Junaid, who has represented Pakistan in 22 Tests, 76 ODIs, and 9 T20Is, intensified the controversy by posting a clip of Vaibhav’s innings on social media, captioned: "Can a 13-year-old kid really hit such a long six?"
Vaibhav’s standout performance helped India secure a comprehensive seven-wicket victory over Sri Lanka, earning them a place in the U-19 Asia Cup final.
However, India stumbled in the title clash, losing to Bangladesh by 59 runs.
Chasing a target of 199, India were bowled out for 139 in 35.2 overs, with Vaibhav contributing just nine runs in a disappointing end to an otherwise impressive tournament.
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