IPL mega auction: 5 youngest players to go under the hammer | Cricket News

NEW DELHI: The upcoming Indian Premier League mega auction is expected to be an exciting event, with many surprises and record-breaking moments anticipated.
A total of 574 players have been shortlisted for the auction, out of an initial pool of 1,574 for the two-day event in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
The shortlisted players include 208 overseas players, 12 uncapped overseas players, and 318 uncapped Indian players.
Here’s a look at five youngest players in the auction list:
Vaibhav Suryavanshi (Age: 13 years 234 days)
Vaibhav Suryavanshi is the youngest player on the list, at just 13 years and 234 days old.
Born on March 27, 2011, in Bihar, Vaibhav made his first-class debut for Bihar in January 2024 at the age of 12 years and 284 days.
Last month, he was part of the India U19 team that played against Australia in Chennai. He made headlines by smashing a century off just 58 balls.
In five first-class matches, Vaibhav has scored 100 runs, with a highest score of 41.
He is currently playing in the Ranji Trophy.
Ayush Mhatre (Age: 17 years 123 days)
Ayush Mhatre, an opening batter, is another young player hoping to make his mark in the IPL. At 17 years and 123 days old, Mhatre received a surprise call-up to Mumbai’s Irani Trophy squad last month.
Although he did not perform well in the Irani Trophy, scoring only 19 and 14 against the Rest of India, he has been in excellent form in the Ranji Trophy.
He scored 52 in his debut innings and followed it up with 176 against Maharashtra.
In the ongoing match against Services, he scored 116 in Mumbai’s first innings.
In five matches and nine innings, he has amassed 408 runs at an impressive average of 45.33, including two centuries and one fifty. His highest score is 176.
Hardik Raj (Age: 18 years 44 days)
Hardik Raj, a spin-bowling all-rounder will be another exciting prospect at the auction. He had an impressive 2024 season playing for Shivamogga Lions in Karnataka’s Maharaja T20 Trophy.
In this year’s Maharaja Trophy, he scored 155 runs in seven innings, including one fifty, with a strike rate of 180. He also claimed seven wickets.
He bowls left-arm spin and represented India U19 in three ODIs during a home series against Australia last month. He scored 30 runs in one innings and took five wickets.
Hardik has also played three Ranji Trophy matches for Karnataka.
C Andre Siddarth (Age: 18 years 80 days)
C Andre Siddarth, the nephew of former Tamil Nadu batter and selector S Sharath, is another promising young player on the list.
Andre is a middle-order batter who has been making waves in the domestic circuit. He played for Chepauk Super Gillies in the Tamil Nadu Premier League (TNPL) and also participated in the Buchi Babu Invitational Tournament this year.
Andre has been in excellent form since earning a call-up to the Tamil Nadu Ranji squad. His scores include 38, 66*, 55*, 41, 94, and 78.
Andre has also received his maiden call-up to the India U19 squad for the U19 Asia Cup, starting on November 30.
Kwena Maphaka (Age: 18 years 104 days)
Kwena Maphaka, the youngest overseas player on the list, is an 18-year-old South African fast bowler who made a name for himself during this year’s U19 World Cup, where he took 21 wickets.
He was signed by Mumbai Indians (MI) last year and made two appearances, conceding 89 runs in six overs. He has since made his international debut, playing three T20Is for South Africa against the West Indies.