Vaibhav Suryavanshi: Bihar’s Rising Star Echoes MS Dhoni’s Legacy for Jharkhand
In the heart of Patna, on a chilly January night in 2024, a young boy was spotted shadow practicing in a hotel gallery. Bihar’s captain, Ashutosh Aman, noticed the 12-year-old Vaibhav Suryavanshi and asked with concern, “Chotu, khana khaya re (Have you eaten?).” A shy Vaibhav mumbled, “Man nahi kar raha bhaiya (I don’t feel like eating).” Moved by his dedication, Ashutosh draped him in a jacket and cap, took him for dinner, and ordered mutton and rice for the overwhelmed kid who couldn’t decipher the menu.
The very next day, history was in the making. Vaibhav made his Ranji Trophy debut against formidable Mumbai at the tender age of 12. As he struggled to lace his shoes before opening the innings on Day 2, Ashutosh once again stepped in with a smile, “Laces baandhne nahi aate? (Don’t you know how to lace your shoes?)” Vaibhav’s nervous nod spoke volumes about his raw, unpolished talent. Despite the nerves, he scored a gritty 19 in his first innings, prompting Ashutosh to declare in the dressing room, “Bihar ko pehla cricketing superstar mil gaya (Bihar has found its first cricketing superstar).”
Fast forward to a magical Monday night in 2024 at Jaipur’s Sawai Mansingh Stadium, and Ashutosh’s prophecy came alive. Vaibhav, now 14, etched his name in history by smashing the fastest century by an Indian in the IPL, a staggering feat that left even Rahul Dravid in awe, momentarily forgetting his own discomfort. The stadium roared with chants of “Vaibhav! Vaibhav!” as the young prodigy from Samastipur showcased a fearless brand of cricket. Ashutosh, watching from afar, summed it up with heartfelt brevity: “Gazab khela (Exceptional knock).”
The Dhoni Parallel: A Beacon for Bihar
When Jharkhand was carved out of Bihar in 2000, it took with it much of the region’s resources and industrial might, leaving Bihar grappling with challenges. A popular Bhojpuri taunt, “Ab alag bhail Jharkhand, khau shakarkand (Now Jharkhand is separate, eat sweet potato),” captured the sentiment of loss. Amidst waves of migration for better opportunities, cricket in Bihar remained a distant dream, plagued by abysmal infrastructure and lack of opportunities. Yet, just as MS Dhoni became a symbol of hope and pride for Jharkhand—a small-town boy rising to global cricketing stardom—Vaibhav Suryavanshi is emerging as Bihar’s own icon.
Ashutosh, who himself moved to Services for a coaching role due to limited prospects in Bihar, couldn’t hold back emotions watching Vaibhav’s towering sixes. “There was no cricket in Bihar worth speaking of. Those who tried often ended up unemployed. But Vaibhav has put Bihar on the cricketing map. People now know Samastipur. It’s in our Bihari DNA—we don’t fear because we’ve got nothing to lose,” he said. Vaibhav’s IPL journey began with a audacious six off Shardul Thakur and culminated in a century with a monstrous hit off Rashid Khan.
Bihar’s Cricketing Exodus and Hopeful Return
Vaibhav’s story is a beacon amidst a history of talent drain from Bihar. Stars like Ishan Kishan moved to Ranchi for better facilities, while pacer Mukesh Kumar shifted to Kolkata to support his family’s struggling taxi business, playing for meager sums before being spotted. Similarly, Akash Deep, now a rising Indian pacer, went to Kolkata aspiring to be a truck driver but found cricket instead. Determined to change the narrative, Akash recently opened a cricket academy in Sasaram, vowing to provide world-class infrastructure so no young talent has to leave Bihar. “Kids shouldn’t face the hurdles I did,” he told Times of India.
A Future Full of Vaibhavs?
Bihar Cricket Association (BCA) president Rakesh Tiwary, witnessing Vaibhav’s IPL heroics from the stands, was left with goosebumps as the crowd chanted the teenager’s name. “It was an experience of a lifetime. More talent like Vaibhav will emerge from Bihar now—there’s no dearth of potential,” Tiwary asserted. The BCA is taking strides to rebuild cricketing infrastructure, signing an MoU with the state government for a 30-year lease on Moin-ul-Haq Stadium in Patna, aiming to transform it into an international-standard complex. Additional projects include a new stadium in Rajgir and smaller centers across the state.
In Vaibhav Suryavanshi, Bihar sees not just a cricketer but a symbol of resilience and possibility. Much like MS Dhoni inspired a generation in Jharkhand, Vaibhav’s journey from shadow practicing in a hotel gallery to smashing IPL records is a reminder that talent knows no boundaries—just like the sixes he effortlessly clears. As Ashutosh Aman rightly predicted, Bihar may indeed have found its first cricketing superstar.