"14-Year-Old Suryavanshi Achieves Unprecedented Feat in IPL, Scoring First T20 Century"
Rewritten Article:
Flamboyant youngster Vaibhav Suryavanshi, a 14-year-old left-handed batting sensation, bewildered the opposition with a breath-taking century, smashing the ball to all corners of the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur. The chubby tyke hammered 100 runs off a mere 35 deliveries, peppering the boundaries with seven stunning fours and an astonishing 11 towering sixes.
Beating the previous record set by Vijay Zol back in 2013, Suryavanshi's milestone places him as the youngest player to achieve a ton in the popular T20 tournament. His record-breaking inning is only second to Chris Gayle's blistering century in 30 balls for Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the same year.
With a standing ovation from the ecstatic home crowd and the team dugout, Suryavanshi, affectionately known as "Boss baby" by TV commentators, modestly expressed his delight after being named player of the match.
"It's like a dream come true to score a century in the IPL," he beamed.
Suryavanshi, who made his debut in Rajasthan's squad nine days ago with a bang (six, to be precise), displayed no signs of fear when facing the world's top bowlers. After being acquired by the team for a whopping $130,500 in a November auction, his meteoric rise in the lucrative T20 tournament is a testament to his prodigious talent.
Kicking off his IPL adventure against Lucknow Super Giants as an impact substitute, Suryavanshi effortlessly smashed his first ball for a six, demonstrating his innate prowess for the game.
Monday's electric opening stand of 166 runs with his fellow left-handed partner Yashasvi Jaiswal powered Rajasthan's charge of 210, allowing them to reach the target with 25 balls and eight wickets remaining while snapping their five-match losing streak. Jaiswal wrapped up his unbeaten 70 and partnered with stand-in-skipper Riyan Parag for an unbeaten 41-run partnership, culminating in Parag's match-winning six in his electrifying 32.
"Incredible display, one of the best I've ever seen," Jaiswal praised his young teammate. "I hope he continues this form for us for a long time. I was encouraging him to keep going."
Suryavanshi's awe-inspiring display overshadowed stellar performances from Gujarat's Shubman Gill, who struck an impressive 84, and Jos Buttler, who remained unbeaten at 50. Gujarat posted a commendable 209-4, but Suryavanshi's phenomenal barrage ensured their total fell by the wayside. He sent Afghanistan quick Karim Janat's bowling to shambles, whacking him for six fours and as many sixes in a single 30-run over.
The Titans' skipper Gill had to sit out the Rajasthan innings due to a back spasm, with Afghanistan spin wizard Rashid Khan taking over as captain for the day. Gill showered praise upon Suryavanshi, exclaiming his "tremendous hitting."
Gujarat hold third place on the 10-team table with six wins from nine matches. Rajasthan's chances of securing a spot in the final four are still precarious, lingering by a thread as they occupy seventh place with three victories and seven losses.
Additional tidbit: While searching for the second-youngest player to score a century in the IPL, players younger than Prayas Rai Burman, who debuted at 16 years and 154 days, are yet to achieve this feat. As Suryavanshi is the youngest centurion in men's T20 cricket, it remains to be seen who will take the spot as the second-youngest player to score an IPL century.
- Suryavanshi's incredible 101 runs off 35 deliveries in the IPL, which included seven fours and 11 sixes, broke the record previously held by Vijay Zol and placed him as the youngest player to achieve a ton in the tournament.
- As Gujarat holds third place with six wins from nine matches, Rajasthan's chances of securing a spot in the final four are still precarious, lingering by a thread as they occupy seventh place with three victories and seven losses.
- Should any player under the age of 16 years and 154 days, younger than Prayas Rai Burman, manage to score a century in the IPL, they would surpass Suryavanshi as the youngest centurion in the popular T20 tournament.
