When Sanjiv Suryavanshi sold his farmland to fund his 10-year-old son Vaibhav's cricketing aspirations, he hardly knew that within three years, the boy would be scripting history. 

During the second and final day of the IPL mega auction in Jeddah, Vaibhav, at 13 years and eight months, became the youngest cricketer ever to be picked by a franchise, as Rajasthan Royals bought him for Rs 1.10 crore. 

Vaibhav's journey began at the age of eight when he excelled in under-16 district trials. Sanjiv had to go through financial battle also. Despite the financial crisis he took Vaibhav to the coaching school in Samastipur.

He remembered, stating, “I sold my land. My financial battle is still on.” he admitted, highlighting the significant investment cricket demands. 

Vaibhav who was born in 2011, in Bihar’s Tajpur village, started his cricketing journey at the age of four with his father, a farmer by profession, noticed his child’s passion for cricket and decided to foster it by building a small playing area for Vaibhav in the backyard of their home. 

Once Vaibhav turned nine, Sanjeev enrolled him in a cricket academy in the nearby town of Samastipur. Everyday Vaibhav travelled from Tajpur to Samastipur. His father has recalled saying, "He did not know anything other than cricket. Even after returning home, he started doing shadows in front of the mirror despite being tired of the training."

Aged just 12 years and 284 days at the time, Vaibhav Suryavanshi also became the youngest Indian to make a first-class debut since 1986 and the second-youngest to ever play in the Ranji Trophy for Bihar.

Currently, the left-handed batsman whose idol is legendary Brian Lara, is in UAE, representing under-19 India in the Asia Cup.

Vaibhav also had to face allegations of being involved in age fraud. But Sanjiv, refuting all controversies clarified that his son first underwent a BCCI bone test at eight and a half years old. “He has already played India U-19. We do not fear anyone," he asserted, ready for any age verification again.

The Southpaw has another desire. That is to meet and take photographs with his idol.