IPL 2025: Shubman Gill faces flak over remarks on 14-year-old Vaibhav Suryavanshi; gets schooled

In a landmark moment for Indian cricket, 14-year-old Vaibhav Suryavanshi blazed his way into the IPL record books with a scintillating 101-run knock off just 37 balls for Rajasthan Royals against Gujarat Titans at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur.

The historic feat, making him the youngest centurion in IPL history, left the crowd in raptures, but Gujarat Titans skipper Shubman Gill's post-match reaction failed to match the occasion.

Speaking after the Royals comfortably chased down a daunting 210-run target in just 15.5 overs, Gill described Suryavanshi’s knock as the result of “a lucky day.”

The 24-year-old, who has often been heralded as the future captain of Indian cricket, said: “It was his (lucky) day. His hitting was just tremendous, and he made full use of his day.”

Ajay Jadeja and the cricketing fraternity come to Suryavanshi’s defence

Gill’s remarks drew sharp criticism from across the cricketing community. Former India international Ajay Jadeja minced no words in expressing his displeasure.

Speaking on JioStar, Jadeja said: “But a 14-year-old to believe in himself the way he did, to take on world-class bowlers and dismantle a quality attack—it deserves more than being called lucky.”

He went further, celebrating the courage and confidence of the teenager: “All of us who played cricket dreamt of moments like these. This boy has lived that dream on the grandest stage. There’s power, there’s maturity. His mindset blows me away more than anything.”

Indeed, Suryavanshi’s innings was a masterclass in T20 batting. Featuring 8 fours and 11 sixes, the youngster spared no bowler.

Veteran Ishant Sharma was taken for 28 runs in a single over, and Afghanistan’s Karim Janat conceded 30 in another. Suryavanshi’s 166-run opening stand with Yashasvi Jaiswal not only anchored the chase but also shifted IPL's conversation to a new generation of stars.

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From auction surprise to spotlight sensation

Suryavanshi’s journey to this point has been anything but conventional. When his name popped up in the IPL 2025 auction, few expected any franchise to pick a 14-year-old. Yet, Rajasthan Royals, known for investing in youth talent, spent Rs 1.1 crore to secure him. His immediate impact, launching his first IPL ball for six, set the tone.

Just ten days prior, he had impressed against Lucknow Super Giants with a brisk 30s knock. But this century was the full symphony, showcasing technique, timing, and fearless strokeplay.

A generational shift in IPL narratives

Vaibhav Suryavanshi’s rise may not just mark the arrival of a new cricketing prodigy; it might also signal a broader cultural shift in the IPL. With the backing of support staff like Rahul Dravid and Vikram Rathour, his performance reflects a new-age mindset of nurturing raw talent with tactical maturity.

As for Shubman Gill, the backlash to his comments serves as a timely reminder: even for rising stars, leadership demands grace in defeat and generosity in acknowledgement. With the cricketing world rallying behind Suryavanshi, Gill’s remarks appear increasingly out of sync with the moment.

And for fans, one thing is certain, the IPL 2025 will now forever be remembered as the tournament where a 14-year-old rewrote history with the bat and forced even its most celebrated players to reassess their stance on genius, age, and respect.