The 14-year-old wonderkid Vaibhav Suryavanshi admitted that cracking a century in the Indian Premier League was a long-held dream, which was finally realised in the clash against Gujarat Titans on April 28 at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur. Vaibhav Suryavanshi's historic knock played a crucial role in Rajasthan Royals' emphatic eight-wicket win over Gujarat Titans.
In a stunning display of batting prowess against Gujarat Titans, Vaibhav Suryavanshi etched his name in the IPL record books by becoming the youngest player to ever score a century in the tournament's history. He reached this milestone in a breathtaking 35 deliveries. Suryavanshi, at the young age of 14 years and 32 days, shattered the previous record held by Manish Pandey (19 years and 253 days), Rishabh Pant (20 years and 218 days), and Devdutt Padikkal (20 years and 289 days). Furthermore, his century stands as the second-fastest in the IPL, surpassed only by Chris Gayle's incredible 30-ball hundred. Notably, it is also the fastest century scored by an Indian batsman in the IPL, eclipsing Yusuf Pathan's record of 37 balls.
During RR' chase of 210 runs against Gujarat Titans, Vaibhav Suryavanshi was all guns blazing from the outset. His explosive approach was particularly evident in the fourth over when he took on veteran fast bowler Ishant Sharma, scoring a remarkable 28 runs through three sixes and two fours, along with some extra runs. He continued his dominant performance, targeting Washington Sundar for two towering sixes before reaching his half-century with a boundary. Suryavanshi then asserted his dominance over Gujarat Titans' debutant Karim Janat, unleashing a barrage of boundaries and sixes. In the tenth over alone, he plundered 30 runs, hitting three fours and three sixes, bringing his total sixes in the innings to an astounding eleven. His magnificent innings eventually concluded at 101 runs when he was bowled by Prasidh Krishna.
It is like a dream, to score a century in the IPL: Vaibhav Suryavanshi
After being adjudged the Player of the Match for his sensational century, Vaibhav expressed his immense happiness at achieving this milestone in only his third IPL innings. He further added that this achievement was particularly gratifying after the considerable hard work he had put in.
“It is a very good feeling. It’s my first hundred in the IPL and it’s my third innings. What I’ve been practicing for the last three-four months, the result is showing. I just see the ball and play. Batting with Jaiswal is good, he tells me what to do and he infuses positive things. It is like a dream, to score a century in the IPL," Vaibhav Suryavanshi said at the post-match presentation
But what Suryavanshi said next when asked about if he fears any bowler was unbelievable for a 14-year-old kid.
“There is no fear. I don’t think much, I just focus on playing," Suryavanshi made it clear in the end.
While RR's playoff chances are slip with just three wins against seven losses in 10 matches, Suryavanshi's knock has certainly sparked some hope in them. RR will next face Mumbai Indians on May 1 at the Sawai Man Singh stadium.