15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has taken the cricketing world by storm with his remarkable achievements. The young sensation became the first player in IPL history to secure five major individual awards in a single season, marking an extraordinary milestone at such an early age.The Father Behind the JourneyWhile fans admire his performances on the field, Vaibhav himself credits his father as the driving force behind his success. Reflecting on his early training days, he said, “All this is because of my father. Since childhood, he has made me practise so much that if I do not practise even for a day, it feels like my life has slowed down a bit.”His words reflect deep gratitude and highlight the discipline his father instilled in him from a young age.Relentless Practice, Even During COVID-19Vaibhav’s father, Sanjeev Sooryavanshi, ensured that his son’s training never stopped, even during the COVID-19 lockdown. In a 2024 interview with Bihar Tak, he shared how practice continued regardless of conditions, whether under extreme weather or within their home.“Vo chahta tha ki khilaaein toh hum khilaate the,” he said, emphasizing his commitment to nurturing his son’s passion.Sacrifices That Made the Dream PossibleThe journey to success came with significant sacrifices. Sanjeev Sooryavanshi, who once aspired to be a cricketer himself, spoke about the struggles and dedication involved.“Sangharsh hum kiye, mehnat vo bohot kiya”He also expressed a father’s universal dream for his child: “Hum toh papa hain, duniya ke sab papa apne beta ke liye sochte hain ki jo khoob achha padh likh ke beta collector bane… khelne wala India ke liye khele… Hamara bhi vahi chah tha,”.When Vaibhav was picked by Rajasthan Royals in 2025 for ₹1.10 crore, becoming the youngest cricketer to be signed by a franchise, the emotional moment revealed the extent of the family’s sacrifices.“Aapko kya bataye humne toh apna zameen tak bech diya. Abhi halat pura sudhra nahi”A Priceless Lesson: Team Over Individual GloryBeyond skills, Vaibhav’s father also shaped his mindset as a team player. Sharing his father’s advice, Vaibhav said wile speaking to JioStar: "Since childhood, my father has always told me that if you score a hundred, a double hundred, or even a triple hundred, but the team does not win because of it, then those runs hold no value. They may only be for your personal record, but they do not benefit the team. Cricket, in the end, is a team game,”[With TOI inputs]