Vaibhav Suryavanshi said scoring a hundred in the Indian Premier League (IPL) was a dream come true for him. Scored at Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur on Monday, this helped RR, Rajasthan Royals, overcome GT, Gujarat Titans, with eight wickets. At just 14 years and 32 days, he became the youngest to make the record of scoring a century in IPL history, the record previously owned by Manish Pandey, Rishabh Pant, and Devdutt Padikkal, respectively. This century, scored by him in just 35 balls, is also the second-fastest in IPL, with only Chris Gayle having a better score in 30 balls.
Suryavanshi, who had earlier been required to deliver a total of 210 runs against GT, here makes the big moves by taking 28 runs of Ishant Sharma in one over on a combination of three sixes and two fours. Continuing in the same vein, he hit for two sixes off Washington Sundar before reaching his half-century with a four. He took a toll over GT’s new-boy Karim Janat in an over – 30 runs scored a little before he ended his innings at 101 as he bowled by Prasidh Krishna.
Vaibhav, who was subsequently named as Player of the Match said, “What makes it better is that it came at his third innings in a new competition.” It feels really good, he said during the post-match presentation. What I have practiced over the last three to four months seems to be coming good.”
At 14, he has a very simple approach. He just watches the ball and plays it. Batting with Jaiswal is really nice; he shares tips and keeps it all light. “It just feels like a dream to score a century in the IPL,” he said. When asked if he is afraid of any bowler, Vaibhav answered, “There is no fear. I focus on my game.
