In the two-day IPL 2025 Mega Auction, 13-year-old Vaibhav Suryavanshi was sold to Rajasthan Royals (RR) for an incredible INR 1.10 crore, one of the most significant transactions. It was a heated match between RR and the Delhi Capitals, with RR emerging victorious.
Suryavanshi was the youngest player to be shortlisted at any IPL auction, with a base price of INR 30 lakh. But his purchase also raised a number of concerns about whether he would be able to contribute in the following season. The International Cricket Council introduced a minimum age rule in 2020. In order to represent their country internationally, players had to be at least 15 years old, according those regulations. But according to one rule, cricket boards might ask the ICC for special approval to allow players under 15 to play in certain extraordinary circumstances.
Regarding Vaibhav Suryavanshi, what is said in the ICC age guideline?
“The Board approved the implementation of minimum age limits for international cricket in order to better protect players. These rules will be applicable to all forms of cricket, including bilateral, ICC, and U-19 competitions. Players must now be at least 15 to participate in any kind of international cricket, whether it is men’s, women’s, or U-19. If there are special circumstances, a Member Board may request permission from the ICC to use a player younger than 15 to represent them. This might involve situations in which the player’s playing background, mental growth, and general health show that they would be able to handle the rigors of playing international cricket,” the ICC statement says.
So, is Vaibhav Suryavanshi able to play for the Rajasthan Royals in the 2025 IPL?
There is no minimum age restriction in the IPL rules, though. The decision on player preparedness then rests with the individual teams. Interestingly, the youngest player to play in the IPL is still Prayas Ray Barman. The Royal Challengers Bengaluru gave him a chance in 2019 when he was 16 years and 157 days old. Accompanying Rahul Dravid and Kumar Sangakkara in RR’s lineup, Suryavanshi may get his opportunity to shine at one of the world’s largest franchise championships.
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