13-year-old Vaibhav Suryavanshi named in India’s squad for Men’s U19 Asia Cup 2024

Vaibhav Suryavanshi is having a meteoric rise in cricket. And the fascinating part is that he’s just 13. The cricket prodigy from Bihar has been named in India’s squad for the Men’s Under-19 (U19) Asia Cup 2024. Slated to begin later in the month, the event will feature eight teams, with Team India drawing U19 sides of Pakistan, Japan, and the UAE.

Ranji Trophy debut at 12

Suryavanshi making his U19 India debut at 13 won’t be shocking at all. In fact, it would be on par for the talented youngster. Born in 2011, in January he’d made his Ranji Trophy debut for Bihar at 12 years, 284 days. This made him the eighth youngest first-class cricketer of all time. His numbers haven’t been that great yet, as he’s done against seasoned professionals from best-performing states, but given he’s 13, Vaibhav’s expected to show his potential soon enough. 

Vaibhav Suryavanshi first-class stats

Youngest ever centurion

But, that’s not what he’s achieved this year. In August, he was named for the India U19 squad for 4-day matches against Australia U19. It was there he got into the headlines once again. At 13 years and 187 days, Suryavanshi became the youngest-ever cricketer to score an international fifty at any level. He’d broken current Bangladesh captain, Najmul Hossain Shanto’s record to do so. Of course, as has been a trend with him, he’s one-upped himself. This time making the squad for the U19 Asia Cup.

Age fraud allegations

With good comes the bad. When Vaibhav Suryavanshi made his Ranji Trophy debut at 12, an old clip of him was circulated online. In the video, Vaibhav himself claims that he’ll be 14 by September 2023. That would mean he was born in 2009. However, officially, his birth year has been listed as 2011, and the month is March. Whether this was a slip of the tongue or not can’t be confirmed until either the Bihar Cricket Association or the Board of Cricket for Control in India looks into it. 

These allegations could very well hinder his chances of making his dream of playing for Team India come true. If proven that he’s changed his age, Vaibhav could receive a ban. He’ll likely be out of action for one to two years, and that could stagnate his development. More so, the image one carries doesn’t help either. He’ll be judged by the public and perhaps even by selectors for trying to trick the system.

India’s squad for U19 Asia Cup 2024

Ayush Mhatre, Vaibhav Suryavanshi, C Andre Siddarth, Mohd. Amaan (C), Kiran Chormale (VC), Pranav Pant, Harvansh Singh Pangalia (WK), Anurag Kawde (WK), Hardik Raj, Md. Enaan, KP Karthikeya, Samarth Nagaraj, Yudhajit Guha, Chetan Sharma, Nikhil Kumar
Non-travelling Reserves: Sahil Parakh, Naman Pushpak, Anmoljeet Singh, Pranav Raghavendra, D Dipesh

India’s schedule for U19 Asia Cup 2024