BENONI, SOUTH AFRICA – The legendary Ravichandran Ashwin has joined the chorus of voices left speechless by the astronomical rise of Vaibhav Suryavanshi. On Thursday, January 8, 2026, the 14-year-old batting prodigy further cemented his status as a once-in-a-generation talent by smashing a 127-run knock off just 74 balls against South Africa U19.
Leading the side as captain, Suryavanshi’s innings was a masterclass in modern power-hitting, featuring 10 towering sixes and 9 fours, securing a dominant series win for India.
Ashwin’s Viral Tribute: “Enna Thambi?”
Taking to X (formerly Twitter), Ashwin listed a dizzying array of scores Suryavanshi has produced in just the last 30 days across domestic and youth international cricket.
The Suryavanshi “Hot Streak” (Last 30 Days):
- 171 (95)
- 50 (26)
- 190 (84)
- 68 (24)
- 108 (61)*
- 46 (25)
- 127 (74) — South Africa U19
“Enna thambi, indha adi podhuma, illa innum konjam venuma?” Ashwin wrote in Tamil, translating to: “What’s all this, brother? Is this sample enough or are you going to raise the bar further?” He concluded by stating that it is nearly impossible to put into words what a 14-year-old is achieving at this level.
#VaibhavWatch: The Four-Month Countdown
Ashwin highlighted that the upcoming window will be the ultimate test of the teenager’s temperament as he prepares for two of the biggest stages in world cricket:
- U19 World Cup 2026: Suryavanshi is expected to be the tournament’s “showstopper” and the linchpin of India’s title defense.
- IPL 2026 (Rajasthan Royals): After a breakout cameo last year, Suryavanshi is set for his first full season as an opener. Ashwin noted the youngster is effectively stepping into the “big shoes of Sanju [Samson]” in terms of the aggressive intent required at the top for RR.
“The next four months of #VaibhavWatch is going to be exciting, telling us everything about his temperament, hunger & character,” Ashwin added.
The Prodigy’s Profile: Why He Is Different
What sets Suryavanshi apart is not just his age, but his ability to perform across diverse conditions in England, Australia, and now the bouncy tracks of South Africa.
| Feature | Details |
| Age | 14 Years, 9 Months (Approx) |
| IPL Team | Rajasthan Royals (Signed for ₹1.1 Crore) |
| Batting Style | Left-hand Opening Batter |
| Recent Record | Youngest centurion in the history of the Vijay Hazare Trophy. |
| Strike Rate | Consistently hovering above 150 in both white-ball and red-ball youth cricket. |