A 14-Year-Old Makes History
In one of the most iconic moments of IPL 2025, Vaibhav Suryavanshi, a 14-year-old batting sensation from Bihar, made history by becoming the youngest player to score a century in men’s T20 cricket. Representing the Rajasthan Royals, the teenage prodigy smashed a 35-ball hundred against Gujarat Titans—the second-fastest in IPL history, and the fastest ever by an Indian.
The match, played at Sawai Mansingh Stadium, Jaipur, saw Rajasthan chasing 210. Suryavanshi opened the innings with maturity far beyond his years, combining timing, aggression, and remarkable shot selection to bring up his century in just 35 deliveries. He finished with 101 off 38 balls, including 11 sixes and 7 fours, and helped RR clinch an emphatic 8-wicket win.
How the Innings Unfolded
Batting second in a pressure chase, Suryavanshi started cautiously but quickly found rhythm. Once set, he dismantled the Titans’ bowling attack with fearless strokeplay—clearing boundaries with ease and rotating strike smartly. He reached 50 off 21 balls, then accelerated further, bringing up his ton in just 35 balls.
The over in which he moved from 82 to 101 included three sixes and a four, sending the crowd into a frenzy and social media into overdrive.
Early Life and Meteoric Rise
Born on March 27, 2011, in Tajpur, Samastipur district of Bihar, Vaibhav began playing cricket at age four. Coached initially by his father, he joined a local academy at nine and made headlines by debuting for Bihar in domestic cricket at just 12.
In November 2024, Rajasthan Royals picked him for ₹1.1 crore in the IPL auction—making him the youngest player ever drafted in the league’s history. His inclusion drew mixed reactions initially, but all doubts were laid to rest after this landmark knock.
Cricket World Reacts
Reactions from Legends:
- Sachin Tendulkar tweeted, “Unbelievable composure and clean hitting from a 14-year-old. The future of Indian cricket is in safe hands.”
- Matthew Hayden called it, “the most fearless innings by a teenager I’ve ever seen.”
- Riyan Parag, RR’s captain, remarked, “This is just the beginning for him. The calmness he showed today was extraordinary.”
A Moment of National Pride
Vaibhav’s innings wasn’t just a personal milestone—it was a defining moment for Indian cricket. No male cricketer has ever scored a T20 hundred at such a young age. Globally, he now holds the record for the youngest centurion in men’s T20 cricket, overtaking Afghanistan’s Usman Ghani who scored a hundred at 17.
The BCCI has also acknowledged the milestone, calling it “a proud day for Indian cricket and an inspiration for young athletes across the country.”
Maintaining Perspective
Though the innings was historic, Suryavanshi faced setbacks in his following games—registering a duck against Mumbai Indians and scoring just 4 runs against Kolkata Knight Riders. This reflects cricket’s unpredictable nature and the importance of nurturing young players through both highs and lows.
Former India coach Ravi Shastri emphasized, “Let the boy enjoy his cricket. Give him time, space, and guidance—not pressure.”
IPL 2025 Stats (as of May 4)
| Matches | Runs | Avg | SR | 100s | 50s | HS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | 164 | 41.00 | 265.79 | 1 | 0 | 101 |
Conclusion
Vaibhav Suryavanshi’s 35-ball century is not just a record—it’s a statement. A symbol of India’s rising grassroots cricketing talent, and a reminder that age is no barrier to greatness when talent meets opportunity. As IPL 2025 progresses, the cricketing world will watch closely as this young phenom continues his journey—one fearless shot at a time.
FAQs
Q1: Who is the youngest centurion in men’s T20 cricket?
A: Vaibhav Suryavanshi, at 14 years old, scored a century in IPL 2025 for Rajasthan Royals.
Q2: What is the fastest century by an Indian in IPL history?
A: Vaibhav Suryavanshi’s 35-ball century is the fastest by an Indian in IPL.
Q3: Which team did he score against?
A: Gujarat Titans.
Q4: Was this his debut match?
A: No, it was his second match in IPL 2025.
Q5: What is his background?
A: He hails from Bihar and made his domestic debut for the state at age 12.
