‘No Fear, Only Fire’
Cricket fans witnessed the birth of a prodigy on Monday night as 14-year-old Indian batting sensation Vaibhav Suryavanshi smashed his way into history books, becoming the youngest centurion in T20 cricket with a jaw-dropping 35-ball hundred against Gujarat Titans at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur, India
In just his third IPL innings, Suryavanshi lit up the Rajasthan Royals’ dugout and stunned spectators worldwide with a fearless knock of 101 off 38 balls, including 11 sixes and 7 fours, as the Royals chased down a daunting target of 209 in only 15.5 overs.
“It is a very good feeling,” said a composed but clearly elated Suryavanshi after being named Player of the Match.
“It’s my first hundred in the IPL and I’ve been working really hard before the tournament. I just see the ball and play. There is no fear. I don’t think much, I just focus on playing.”
Breaking Records and Breaking Ground
With his 35-ball blitz, Suryavanshi now holds the record for the fastest IPL century by an Indian, surpassing Yusuf Pathan’s 37-ball effort in 2010 — also for Rajasthan Royals. The century is also the second-fastest in IPL history, behind only Chris Gayle’s iconic 30-ball hundred in 2013.
“Many congratulations to young Vaibhav Suryavanshi for breaking my record of the fastest IPL hundred by an Indian!” Pathan wrote on social media. “Even more special to see it happen while playing for Rajasthan Royals, just like I did.
“Even more special to see it happen while playing for Rajasthan Royals, just like I did. There’s truly something magical about this franchise for youngsters. Long way to go, champ!”
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Cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar, watching from Mumbai, was moved by the teenager’s raw talent.
Tendulkar who made his test debut for India at the age of 16 in 1989 said on the social media platform X, what Vaibhav did at the 14 is nothing short of phenomenal.
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“Vaibhav’s fearless approach, bat speed, picking the length early, and transferring the energy behind the ball was the recipe behind a fabulous innings. The end result: 101 runs off 38 balls. Well played!
“It reminds me of the pure joy and instinctive stroke play that comes with youth. But what sets him apart is his composure under pressure. He’s not just talented — he’s tuned for the big stage.”
From Backyard Dreams to IPL Stardom
Born and raised in Bihar, Suryavanshi first made headlines last year when he debuted in the Ranji Trophy aged just 12 and later scored a 58-ball century for India U-19s against Australia. He made his IPL debut earlier this month as the youngest player ever to be contracted in the league and promptly announced himself by hitting a six off his very first delivery.
This latest innings — a fearless exhibition of power-hitting — came as Rajasthan Royals desperately sought to break a five-game losing streak. Partnering with Yashasvi Jaiswal for a 166-run opening stand, Suryavanshi delivered a masterclass in modern T20 batting.
The Future, Now
With Rajasthan Royals still sitting eighth on the table, Suryavanshi’s arrival could signal a revival for the 2008 champions. More importantly, his success suggests that the next generation of Indian cricket is arriving faster — and younger — than anyone expected.
Whether this is the start of a meteoric rise or just a precocious flash, one thing is certain: Vaibhav Suryavanshi is here, and the world of cricket has taken notice.
