Vaibhav Suryavanshi’s rise in the cricketing world has been nothing short of remarkable, capturing the imagination of fans and experts alike. His recent IPL auction deal with Rajasthan Royals, valued at Rs 1.1 crore, underscores his meteoric rise in the sport. But it also invites comparison with prodigies in other sports who, at remarkably young ages, have secured multi-million-dollar contracts that far outstrip those of young cricketers, including Suryavanshi.
Suryavanshi, at just 13 years old, began making waves in 2024 with exceptional performances in domestic cricket. His breakout moment came during the Vinoo Mankad Trophy, where he scored an astonishing 400 runs in just five matches. This was only the beginning of his remarkable journey. Within a few months, Suryavanshi earned a place in the India B U-19 squad for the quadrangular series held in Andhra Pradesh in November 2023. Though he was also named for trials for the ICC U-19 World Cup 2024, he narrowly missed out on final selection. Despite this setback, Suryavanshi’s undeniable talent continued to shine through. He went on to achieve one of the most memorable feats in youth cricket – becoming the youngest player ever to score a century in youth cricket, doing so at the age of just 13 years and 187 days against Australia U-19. His blistering knock of 104 off only 58 balls broke the previous record held by Bangladesh’s Najmul Hossain Shanto, showcasing his extraordinary ability at such a tender age.
Born in Samastipur, a small town in Bihar, Vaibhav Suryavanshi's cricketing journey has been far from conventional. His father, Sanjeev Suryavanshi, a farmer, noticed his son’s keen interest in cricket at a very young age. Despite financial constraints, Sanjeev built a small practice ground in their backyard, nurturing Vaibhav's budding talent from the age of four. By the time he was nine, Vaibhav joined a local cricket academy, quickly advancing through the ranks of Bihar’s cricketing circuit.
Vaibhav’s selection at the IPL 2025 auction, however, is just the latest milestone in his already illustrious career. While his Rs 1.1 crore IPL contract is a tremendous achievement, especially for a player so young, it pales in comparison when held up against the earnings of teenage athletes from other sports globally. Sports like football, basketball, Formula 1, and even baseball have witnessed prodigious talents earning astronomical sums from a young age, reflecting the immense financial potential of these sports.
One of the most striking comparisons comes from football, where teenage athletes are increasingly securing life-changing contracts. Take Ethan Nwaneri, for example, who at 15 years and 181 days became the youngest-ever footballer to play in a Premier League match for Arsenal. Nwaneri’s reported weekly earnings of approximately ₹21 lakh stand in stark contrast to the one-time IPL auction bid that Suryavanshi received. If Nwaneri’s weekly earnings are considered, he will earn more than Suryavanshi’s annual IPL contract in just a few months, underscoring the massive financial stakes in the world of football for even the youngest stars.
Similarly, Luka Romero, who debuted for Mallorca in La Liga at just 15, became the youngest player to appear in Spain’s top-flight football league. In 2024, Romero’s €5 million (Rs 44 crore) transfer fee was a testament to the financial muscle of the global football industry, a stark contrast to the IPL contracts for cricketers like Suryavanshi. Football's ability to command eye-watering transfer fees and salaries for young prodigies places it in a league of its own when it comes to financial rewards for teenage athletes.
The picture is no different in Ligue 1, where Ibrahim Mbaye, a 16-year-old prodigy at Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), is already valued at Rs 16 crore, with his earnings poised to climb as he develops into a first-team player. Meanwhile, Bundesliga star Youssoufa Moukoko, also at the age of 16, reportedly earns €6 million (Rs 53 crore) per season with Borussia Dortmund. His salary at such a young age surpasses that of many established senior players and further highlights the lucrative nature of football, where teenagers are already securing financial success far beyond what a cricketer like Suryavanshi might achieve at the IPL.
In Italy, Francesco Camarda made history by debuting for AC Milan in Serie A at just 15 years and 260 days. While his salary figures remain somewhat speculative, it’s safe to assume that given the financial clout of Italian football, Camarda's contract would be worth millions of euros, placing him in the category of high-earning young athletes. His market value and future potential could easily overshadow the IPL earnings of any debutant cricketer.
The world of basketball, too, offers lucrative contracts for teen stars. Andrew Bynum, who debuted in the NBA for the Los Angeles Lakers at 18, secured a salary of $2 million (Rs 16 crore) during his rookie season. That salary, while higher than many cricketers earn, is just the beginning in the NBA, where contracts tend to grow exponentially as players develop into stars.
Max Verstappen's debut in Formula 1 at the age of 17 years and 166 days with Torro Rosso (now AlphaTauri) also stands as a reminder of the earning potential in motorsports. Verstappen, now a multiple-time F1 World Champion, earned €4.5 million (Rs 38 crore) annually during his early career years. His success in F1 serves as a beacon for young drivers, showcasing the enormous financial rewards awaiting those who make it into the sport’s elite ranks.
Vaibhav Suryavanshi’s IPL contract is undeniably impressive for a 13-year-old cricketer, but it also highlights the stark differences in the earning potential of athletes across various sports. While cricket in India, especially the IPL, is one of the most lucrative platforms for young talent, the financial rewards available in global sports like football and Formula 1 are exponentially higher, even for teenage debutants. The young talents from these sports are securing contracts and earnings that can set them up for life, in stark contrast to what Suryavanshi and many cricketers may hope to achieve in their careers.
However, as Vaibhav embarks on his IPL journey, there is a chance that his earnings will grow, especially if he performs well and continues to break records. Who knows? In the coming years, he could find himself among the highest-paid athletes in Indian cricket, just as these young stars from other sports are doing in their respective fields. For now, though, his IPL deal remains a testament to the immense potential and future prospects he holds, both on and off the field.
