Cricket

The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 mega auction is set to witness a plethora of young talents vying for the attention of the ten franchises. With an unprecedented number of Indian and overseas superstars in contention, the auction promises to be a thrilling affair.Among the 574 shortlisted players, five stand out as the youngest:* Vaibhav Suryavanshi (Age: 13 years 234 days): The youngest player on the list, Suryavanshi made his first-class debut for Bihar at the tender age of 12. He has since impressed with his batting prowess, scoring a century against Australia U19.* Ayush Mhatre (Age: 17 years 123 days): An opening batter, Mhatre has showcased his talent in the Ranji Trophy, scoring two centuries and one fifty in just five matches. He also earned a call-up to Mumbai's Irani Trophy squad.* Hardik Raj (Age: 18 years 44 days): A spin-bowling all-rounder, Raj has impressed with his performances in the Maharaja T20 Trophy and India U19 matches. He is known for his left-arm spin and aggressive batting.* C Andre Siddarth (Age: 18 years 80 days): The nephew of former Tamil Nadu batter S Sharath, Siddarth has been in stellar form in the Ranji Trophy, scoring multiple half-centuries. He has also received his maiden call-up to the India U19 squad.* Kwena Maphaka (Age: 18 years 104 days): The youngest overseas player on the list, Maphaka is a South African U19 pace sensation who shone in the U19 World Cup. He has already made his international debut for South Africa.These young players represent the future of Indian cricket and are eager to make their mark on the IPL stage. With their exceptional talent and potential, they are sure to attract the attention of franchises looking to build their squads for the upcoming season.

On a sweltering day at the M.A. Chidambaram Stadium, India's U-19 cricket team asserted their dominance in the first Youth Test against Australia U-19. Opener Vaibhav Suryavanshi (81 batting) mesmerized the crowd with his exquisite strokeplay, guiding India to a commanding 103 for no loss at the end of day one.Australia's bowlers had earlier toiled hard, but India's batsmen proved too resilient. Leg-spinner Mohamed Enaan (3/48) led the charge, dismissing Steve Hogan and Simon Budge, while pacers N. Samarth (3/49) and Aditya Rawat (2/50) chipped in with crucial wickets.Riley Kingsell (53) and Oliver Peake (29) provided some resistance for Australia, but India's bowlers maintained a tight grip on the proceedings. Christian Howe (48) and Aidan O'Connor (61) briefly threatened to revive the visitors' innings with a 98-run seventh-wicket stand, but Aditya's timely dismissals ended their hopes.With only a couple of batters remaining, Samarth cleaned up the tail as Vaibhav took over and asserted his authority in India's reply. The right-hander showcased his full repertoire of shots, dispatching boundaries with ease and punishing loose deliveries with disdain.Suryavanshi's innings was a masterclass in batting, as he played with confidence and composure. He found the gaps with precision, drove through the covers with elegance, and pulled with power. His unbeaten knock has put India in a commanding position heading into day two.