Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh – Left-arm spinner Kumar Kartikeya, a key figure for the Rajasthan Royals and Rewa Jaguars, has heaped praise on rising cricket star Vaibhav Suryavanshi following his stunning performance in the 2025 Indian Premier League (IPL). Kartikeya believes the 14-year-old prodigy is destined to wear the Indian jersey in the near future.
Suryavanshi turned heads throughout IPL 2025 with a standout season for the Rajasthan Royals. Scoring 252 runs in just seven appearances, it was his explosive century against Gujarat Titans in Jaipur that truly made waves. His 101-run knock, off a mere 38 deliveries, made him the youngest player to score a T20 hundred in men’s cricket history — and the second-fastest century in IPL history, achieved in just 35 balls.
Speaking to reporters, Kumar Kartikeya remarked, “Vaibhav is an exceptional talent. The way he’s batting at such a young age is phenomenal. If he continues this form, there’s no doubt he’ll represent India soon.”
The 2025 IPL season also marked the return of former India captain Rahul Dravid as head coach of the Royals. His influence, Kartikeya said, was crucial for many young players. “Rahul sir is a role model. He taught us more than just cricket — about discipline, punctuality, and playing the game with integrity,” Kartikeya shared.
Reflecting on his own IPL journey this season, Kartikeya said, “It was a great experience. I received strong support from the Royals’ management. Playing alongside youngsters like Vaibhav gave me a lot of hope for the future of Indian cricket.”
Despite the individual brilliance, the Royals had a challenging season overall, finishing with just four wins in 14 matches. But for many, including Suryavanshi, it was a campaign filled with learning, growth, and glimpses of what the future holds.
