Rajasthan Royals Crush Gujarat Titans as 14-Year-Old Vaibhav Suryavanshi Scripts IPL History
In a jaw-dropping display of raw talent and fearless cricketing prowess, 14-year-old Vaibhav Suryavanshi etched his name into the annals of IPL history on Monday night. Playing for Rajasthan Royals against Gujarat Titans at the iconic Sawai Mansingh Stadium, the young prodigy smashed the fastest century by an Indian in IPL and became the youngest-ever T20 centurion, leading his team to a commanding eight-wicket victory.
Chasing a formidable target of 210, Suryavanshi unleashed a torrent of destruction, blasting 101 runs off just 38 balls, including 11 towering sixes and seven blistering boundaries. His 35-ball ton obliterated Yusuf Pathan’s record of a 37-ball century set in 2010, marking it as the quickest by an Indian in the tournament’s history. At 14 years and 32 days, he also surpassed Vijay Zol’s record as the youngest T20 centurion, a feat Zol achieved at 18 years and 118 days.
Opening the innings alongside the dynamic Yashasvi Jaiswal, Suryavanshi forged a breathtaking 166-run partnership in just 11.5 overs, decimating a formidable Titans bowling lineup that boasted stars like Mohammed Siraj, Ishant Sharma, Prasidh Krishna, Rashid Khan, and Sai Kishore. Jaiswal complemented the onslaught with an unbeaten 70 off 40 balls, ensuring Royals chased down the target in just 15.5 overs, finishing at 212/2 with 25 balls to spare.
Earlier in the evening, Gujarat Titans put up a competitive total of 209/4, powered by skipper Shubman Gill’s elegant 84 off 50 balls and an unbeaten 50 off 26 balls by Jos Buttler, who surprisingly batted for Titans in a twist of lineup. Sai Sudharsan chipped in with a steady 39, but their efforts paled in comparison to the storm that Suryavanshi unleashed.
The Royals’ bowlers, led by Maheesh Theekshana with figures of 2/35, kept the Titans in check, ensuring the target remained within reach. On the other side, Rashid Khan managed 1/24 for Titans, but lacked support as the young Royals batter tore through their attack.
This emphatic triumph propelled Rajasthan Royals to eighth place in the IPL 2023 standings with six points, keeping their faint playoff hopes flickering. Meanwhile, Gujarat Titans slipped to third position after suffering their third defeat in nine matches, a result that could dent their confidence moving forward.
As the IPL unfolds, all eyes will now be on Vaibhav Suryavanshi, the teenage sensation who has redefined aggression in T20 cricket. With performances like these, the future of Indian cricket looks brighter than ever!
Brief Scores:
Gujarat Titans: 209/4 in 20 overs (Sai Sudharsan 39, Shubman Gill 84, Jos Buttler 50*; Maheesh Theekshana 2/35)
Rajasthan Royals: 212/2 in 15.5 overs (Yashasvi Jaiswal 70*, Vaibhav Suryavanshi 101, Riyan Parag 32*; Rashid Khan 1/24)
Result: Rajasthan Royals won by 8 wickets