Vaibhav Suryavanshi burst onto the cricket scene as a teenage sensation, captivating fans with his exceptional talent. He became a national topic of conversation with his debut for Rajasthan Royals, not just for his skills but also for his record-breaking performance as a 14-year-old. His remarkable hundred off just 38 balls was a testament to his prodigious ability but it also sparked whispers and doubts.
Vaibhav Suryavanshi’s record-breaking performance brought him immense fame but also some questions about his age. In a country where age fraud has been a concern in sports, it was natural for some to be skeptical, even though his family provided a birth certificate.
Despite this, no fellow player had ever publicly addressed the topic. This changed recently when Nitish Rana, a teammate of Vaibhav Suryavanshi, made a playful joke during a rapid-fire interview. When asked to share something unknown about the young cricketer, Nitish Rana humorously questioned whether Vaibhav Suryavanshi was actually 14 years old, quickly adding that he was just kidding.
The conversation with Nitish Rana didn’t stop there. He was also asked about Sanju Samson, the team’s captain from the previous year. Nitish Rana again made a joke, alluding to the rumours that Sanju Samson might be leaving the Royals and quipped about where he would be playing next year.
While discussing another teammate Riyan Parag, Nitish Rana’s tone became more serious. Riyan Parag, who had captained the team in Sanju Samson’s absence, is a player who often receives mixed reactions from fans. Nitish Rana defended him, saying that Riyan Parag is not the way he appears on television. He described him as “very soft-spoken” and a genuinely nice person in real life, suggesting that his on-field attitude is often misunderstood by viewers.
Finally, Nitish Rana shared his deep personal respect for the game of cricket. He stated that for him, nothing is bigger than cricket itself. He emphasised that the game is much larger than any single match, player or anything else in life. Nitish Rana expressed that he has seen cricket in a way that he hasn’t seen himself, his family or anyone else, making it the most important thing to him.
What do you think – is Vaibhav Suryavanshi really 14 yrs old? Well, we are also joking!