Fourteen-year-old Vaibhav Suryavanshi made history by becoming the youngest centurion in men’s Twenty20 cricket, leading Rajasthan Royals to an emphatic eight-wicket win over Gujarat Titans in the Indian Premier League.
Opening the batting, Suryavanshi produced a sensational innings, hammering 101 runs off just 38 balls. His knock included 11 sixes and seven fours as Rajasthan chased down a challenging target of 210 runs in only 15.5 overs. Reaching his hundred in just 35 deliveries, Suryavanshi registered the second-fastest century in IPL history, showcasing a level of power and composure rarely seen in someone so young.
Keeping wicket for Gujarat, former England captain Jos Buttler had a close-up view of the teenage prodigy’s brilliance, unable to do much as the ball flew to all parts of the ground. Jofra Archer and other Royals teammates were quick to rush onto the field to celebrate with Suryavanshi once the chase was completed.
Suryavanshi was naturally awarded the Player of the Match award for his extraordinary performance. Reflecting on his historic achievement after the game, the young left-hander said it felt like living a dream. He credited the results to the intense practice he had been undertaking over the past few months. Suryavanshi explained that he keeps his focus purely on the ball rather than worrying about the fielders or the scoreboard.
The young batter shared a dominant opening partnership worth 166 runs with Yashasvi Jaiswal, who was full of praise for his young teammate. Jaiswal described the innings as one of the best he had ever witnessed and expressed confidence that Suryavanshi would continue to deliver for the team for years to come. According to Jaiswal, Suryavanshi’s ability to remain calm under pressure, combined with his powerful strokeplay and hard work in practice sessions, are key factors behind his success.
Suryavanshi has been on the radar of cricket enthusiasts ever since he became the youngest player to earn a contract in the IPL at the age of 13. Making his debut earlier this month, he announced his arrival in style by hitting a six off the very first ball he faced. His rise through the ranks has been rapid but well-deserved, given his performances across different formats.
Before his IPL debut, Suryavanshi had already made headlines by playing in India’s prestigious domestic red-ball competition, the Ranji Trophy, at the age of just 12. His performances at junior level, particularly for India’s Under-19 side against Australia, where he scored a century off 58 balls, further highlighted his incredible talent. In addition, he once scored a triple century in a local tournament in his home state of Bihar, underlining his appetite for big runs and his ability to dominate attacks.
With this record-breaking century, Suryavanshi has not only rewritten the history books but also signaled the arrival of a potential superstar in world cricket. Rajasthan Royals, who have a history of nurturing young talent, seem to have unearthed another gem who could play a major role in their future success. The cricketing world will undoubtedly keep a close eye on Suryavanshi’s journey as he continues to mature and evolve at the highest level.
