Fourteen-year-old becomes youngest player to hit an IPL T20 century

by Mick the Ram

Rajasthan Royals’ 14-year-old batter Vaibhav Suryavanshi became the youngest player to hit a century in men’s T20 cricket during an Indian Premier League (IPL) game against Gujarat Titans. 

Suryavanshi pulled Rashid Khan for six to bring up the second fastest hundred in IPL history and the fastest by an Indian player, reaching his milestone off just 35 balls.

The teenage left-hander smashed seven fours and 11 sixes before he was eventually bowled for a wonderful 101 as his Royals team eased to a comfortable eight-wicket win with more than four overs to spare.

The precocious talent was signed at auction for £103,789 (1.1 crore rupees), becoming the competition’s youngest ever player earlier this month when making an immediate impact by hitting his first delivery over the ropes for six.

Only the West Indies great Chris Gayle has completed three figures quicker in the IPL when racing to a 30-ball ton for Royal Challengers Bengaluru against Pune Warriors, back in 2013.

Destined for greatness

The superstar schoolboy plays first-class cricket for Bihar, the eastern Indian state where he grew up, and for who he made his debut aged just twelve in January 2024. 

Such was the demand for his signature, young Suryavanshi became the focal point of a bidding war at the official IPL player auction.

Remarkable innings

He made headlines last October when aged thirteen he scored a 58-ball century for India Under-19s in a Youth Test against Australia Under-19s in Chennai. 

That same incredible ability was there for all to see in Jaipur in his latest display, as he shredded the Gujarat bowling attack in a remarkable controlled assault.

Dismantling a top class attack

Chasing a seemingly demanding 210 for victory he put on 166 with India batter Yashasvi Jaiswal, who ended unbeaten on 70 from 40 balls, as they made light work of the target. 

Suryavanshi smashed 11 maximums and a further seven fours against a top quality bowling outfit that featured former world number one bowler Rashid Khan of Afghanistan and established India internationals Mohammed Siraj, Ishant Sharma, Washington Sundar and Prasidh Krishna.

Admiration all round

Batting partner Jaiswal hugged his younger teammate as he left the field, just as incoming batter Nitish Rana did as they passed each other near the boundary.

There was also a huge show of respect and admiration from the opposition fielders who took the opportunity to shake the young man’s hand as his impressive innings came to an end, having witnessed something very special. 

Dedication in practice

When asked how he felt afterwards he responded in a typically level-headed manner simply saying it felt good to reach his first hundred in the IPL and credited it to the many hours practice he had been putting in over the past few months.

He added: “It is like a dream, I’m not thinking about fear or anything at all like that; I am just focusing on playing.”

He has everything needed to succeed

Jaiswal, who was able to steer Rajasthan to an easy win after his partner’s dismissal had nothing but enormous praise for the teenage sensation. 

“He has batted an incredible innings, one of the best I have seen. He played absolutely amazing shots, you can see he’s worked really hard in the nets and he has the game, he has the temperament, and he has the mentality; I wish him all the luck to do well.”

The stunning victory ended a run of five straight losses for Rajasthan and enabled them to retain their slim hopes of making the knockout stages alive.