BECKENHAM: Vaibhav Suryavanshi’s insatiable hunger for runs is quickly turning him into a sensation in England. The 14-year-old prodigy from Bihar is not just piling up runs, but also winning hearts—signing autographs, posing for selfies, and even drawing fans from hours away just for a glimpse.
After skyrocketing to fame in India with a record-breaking century in the IPL, Suryavanshi is now the centre of attention on India’s U-19 tour of the UK. While efforts have been made to shield him from the media spotlight, his on-field performances have made it impossible to ignore him.
In Beckenham, a quiet town hosting the first Youth Test, the left-handed opener was the focal point for both local cricket lovers and members of the Indian diaspora.
“He’s my role model. I love his aggressive batting,” said a young fan from Beckenham, beaming after getting Suryavanshi’s autograph at Kent County Cricket Ground.
Just ten days earlier in Worcester, Suryavanshi had blasted a 78-ball 143 in a 50-over match against England U-19, reinforcing his reputation as a fearless and clean striker of the ball.
England U-19 left-arm spinner Ralphie Albert, who faced him in both the white-ball and red-ball games, admitted being taken aback by Suryavanshi’s relentless aggression.
“I bowled to him during the ODI series, and you’d think he might tone it down in the Test, but he kept attacking. He’s a seriously talented player,” Albert said after day four.
While the youngster may prefer a quieter spotlight, his rising fame is drawing fans far and wide. One London-based couple of Indian origin drove two hours just to see him play.
“I came only for Suryavanshi. I really hope I can get a selfie with him,” said Sanjeev, a UK government employee.
However, with play stretching until 7:30 pm local time, that wish went unfulfilled. As his global profile continues to rise, Suryavanshi must now learn to balance fame with focus—something many seasoned stars still grapple with.
