327 runs in just 134 balls: Is 13-year-old Ayan Raj the new Vaibhav Suryavanshi?

Dubai: Every cricket fan now knows what Vaibhav Suryavanshi is capable of each time he steps onto the field. While his explosive batting performances have consistently made headlines, his childhood friend Ayan Raj has now claimed a share of the spotlight with a breathtaking innings of his own during a district-level match in Muzaffarpur, Bihar.

The 13-year-old prodigy smashed an unbeaten 327 runs off just 134 balls for Sanskriti Cricket Academy in a 30-over game—an extraordinary feat at any level. Even more remarkable, 296 of those runs came from boundaries alone, as Raj put on a stunning display of clean hitting and composure far beyond his years. His strike rate? An astonishing 220.89. He hit 41 boundaries and 22 sixes.

Raj, who shares a deep bond with Vaibhav, spoke of the inspiration he draws from his friend. “Every time I talk to Vaibhav bhai, I get a special feeling. We used to play together when we were younger. Today, he’s made a big name for himself, and I’m following in his footsteps,” Raj told News18.

Cricket runs deep in the Raj family. His father, a former cricketer himself, once dreamed of wearing the India jersey—a dream now passed on to his son. With strong family support, Ayan has his sights firmly set on realizing that legacy.

Raj’s incredible knock comes just weeks after Vaibhav Suryavanshi lit up the Indian Premier League with a sensational rookie season. Representing the Rajasthan Royals, Vaibhav stunned the cricketing world by smashing the fastest century by an Indian in IPL history—a blistering 35-ball ton against the Gujarat Titans.

The duo’s journey from childhood friends to rising cricket stars is nothing short of inspiring. Raj continues to look up to Suryavanshi, who is already drawing comparisons with the legendary Sachin Tendulkar due to his early-career brilliance.