What is Y.O.A.T. in Cricket? IPL 2025 viral term explained

Vaibhav-Suryavanshi. (Photo source: X/IPL)

Y.O.A.T. is the abbreviation of the "Youngest Of All Time". This term has been used for in the ongoing edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL).

Last year, the Bihar batter became the youngest to be listed for the IPL auction at the age of 13. In the mega-auction held in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, Suryavanshi was roped in by the Rajasthan Royals for INR 1.10 crore. Therefore, he became the youngest player ever to be bought at an IPL auction.

Ahead of the commencement of IPL 2025, Star Sports released a promo featuring MS Dhoni and Sanju Samson, where they discussed Suryavanshi playing in the IPL. The promo had the caption: "This is where the Greatest Of All Time (GOAT) will clash against the Youngest Of All Time (YOAT)! This is where any side can win and any one can change the game!"

This is where the Greatest Of All Time (GOAT) 🐐 will clash against the Youngest Of All Time (YOAT) ✨!
This is where any side can win and any one can change the game! 🏏
Yeh #TATAIPL hai, Yahan sab possible hai! #GOATvsYOATPossible

Get ready for SEASON 18 of #IPLonJioStar 👉… pic.twitter.com/k8bY1PCwyk

— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) March 12, 2025

Since this ad, Star Sports has continued with the YOAT term. Suryavanshi made his debut against the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) on April 19 and scored a quickfire 34 off 20 balls, hitting two sixes off the first three deliveries he faced.

While the cricket fraternity was already impressed by how he took some international bowlers to the cleaners in his debut game, on April 28, he decided to stamp his authority and show that he belonged at this stage. Suryavanshi, who turned 14 on March 27, slammed the second-fastest IPL century. Against Gujarat Titans, the southpaw scored a 35-ball ton at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur.

While the Royals ended their campaign with just four wins and 10 defeats in 14 matches, they have certainly unearthed a gem of a talent, who can serve them for decades. The opening batter aggregated 252 runs from seven innings at an impressive average of 36 and a mind-boggling strike rate of 206.56.