Google CEO Sundar Pichai took to X (formerly Twitter) to shout out 14-year-old Vaibhav Suryavanshi, who made his IPL debut for Rajasthan Royals on April 19 against Lucknow Super Giants. “Woke up to watch an 8th grader play in the IPL!!!! What a debut!” Pichai wrote.
Suryavanshi, the youngest-ever player bought in an IPL auction, stepped in for an injured Sanju Samson and opened the innings with Yashasvi Jaiswal. He wasted no time making a statement—launching his very first ball over the ropes for six off Shardul Thakur. The Jaipur crowd erupted. So did the internet.
Woke up to watch an 8th grader play in the IPL!!!! What a debut! https://t.co/KMR7TfnVmL
Sundar Pichai (@sundarpichai) April 19, 2025
The 8th grader went on to score a confident 34 off 20 balls, showing the kind of poise under pressure that even seasoned pros struggle to muster. His knock ended when he was stumped by Rishabh Pant off the bowling of Aiden Markram, but the impression had already been made.
Despite an electric 85-run opening partnership between Suryavanshi and Jaiswal, Rajasthan’s chase of 181 lost steam in the middle overs. LSG’s Avesh Khan held his nerve in the final over, securing a thrilling 2-run win.
But make no mistake—this night belonged to a schoolboy who traded homework for heroics. Vaibhav Suryavanshi’s debut didn’t just grab headlines; it got the attention of Sundar Pichai, a billion-dollar tech CEO, and millions of new fans. Not bad for your first day at work.
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