Rajasthan Royals' Vaibhav Suryavanshi to RCB's Swastik Chikara – Top youngsters to watch out for in IPL 2025

For years now, the IPL has been a breeding ground for many budding cricketers. This cash-rich league has not only strengthened the foundation of Indian cricket but has also played a crucial role in the development of a number of overseas players. By providing them with high-level competition, invaluable experience, and global exposure, the IPL has significantly impacted their international careers. Many renowned cricketers, including Virat Kohli, Ravindra Jadeja, Faf du Plessis, Kieron Pollard, and David Warner, honed their skills in the IPL before making their international debuts.

Season after season, franchises prioritize scouting fresh talent, ensuring a steady influx of young and promising players. Each team has a dedicated scouting network that identifies hidden gems from across the world, bringing them into the auction and, ultimately, into the limelight.

With every new IPL season comes an opportunity for uncapped players to make a name for themselves, and this year is no exception. A host of young talents are set to showcase their skills, eager to leave their mark on the tournament. In this article, we look at four of the youngest players to watch out for in the upcoming IPL season.

Vaibhav Suryavanshi- 13 years old

Vaibhav Suryavanshi at just 13 years old already has an IPL contract

When the concept of the IPL was introduced, Vaibhav wasn’t even born. Now, at just 13 years old, he already has an IPL contract. The young batting prodigy first made headlines with his debut for Bihar in the Ranji Trophy last year. Holding the records for being the youngest Indian to score a List A fifty and for the fastest hundred by an Indian in youth Test cricket helped him secure an IPL contract worth 1.1 crore with RR after an intense bidding war with Delhi Capitals. Whether he’ll get a chance to showcase his talent on the grand IPL stage remains to be seen, but one thing is certain—this experience will only make him a better cricketer.

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C Andre Siddarth- 18 years old

C Andre Siddarth has already gained experience in the Tamil Nadu Premier League (Source: TNPL)

Ravichandran Ashwin, Subramaniam Badrinath, R Sai Kishore—and now, the latest addition to this list is C Andre Siddarth. Tamil Nadu has long produced players who have been a part of the Chennai Super Kings setup, and the 18-year-old Siddarth is the newest name in that legacy. The nephew of Tamil Nadu cricket stalwart S Sharath, Siddarth has already gained experience in the Tamil Nadu Premier League (TNPL), though he is yet to play an official T20 match. However, his performances in the Ranji Trophy tell a different story. Scoring 612 runs in 12 innings at an impressive average of 68.00, with one century and five half-centuries, he proved his mettle in red-ball cricket. Unlike teams like Mumbai Indians or Rajasthan Royals, CSK is not known for throwing young players into the mix early in their careers. With an experienced and well-balanced squad, breaking into the playing XI will be a tough challenge for Siddarth. But if he gets his chance, he will be eager to make the most of it.

Also Read | CSK Team IPL 2025: Why Chennai Super Kings still cannot be taken lightly

Kwena Maphaka- 18 years old

Kwena Maphaka, at 17, had become the third-youngest overseas player to feature in the IPL (AFP Photo)

Last year, Kwena Maphaka made headlines as he became the youngest South African and the third-youngest overseas player overall to feature in the IPL at just 17. The left-arm pacer had a brief debut season, picking up one wicket in two matches while struggling with an economy rate close to 15. His lone wicket came against Rajasthan Royals, dismissing Yashasvi Jaiswal. Now, in a twist of fate, Kwena will be sharing the dressing room with Jaiswal after being picked by the inaugural IPL champions, RR, for 1.5 crore. With his ability to generate pace and move the ball both ways, he’s a tempting option for RR with the ball this season.

Swastik Chikara- 19 years old

Swastik Chikara with RCB skipper Rajat Patidar (Instagram/swastikchikara_3)

Another young cricketer making waves is Swastik Chikara. He announced himself in style on his List A debut, smashing 117 runs to mark his arrival. Though his T20 record remains modest—scoring just 15 runs across four matches—his performances in the second edition of the UPT20 League suggest a bright future. Recognizing his potential and ability to handle pressure, RCB secured his services for the upcoming IPL season. While he may not get as many opportunities as he hopes for, rubbing shoulders with the likes of Virat Kohli, Rajat Patidar, and Phil Salt will undoubtedly aid his growth as a player.