14-Year-Old Suryavanshi Stuns with Record Century as Royals Crush Titans

Jaipur — In a match that will go down in Indian Premier League (IPL) history, 14-year-old Vaibhav Suryavanshi stole the spotlight with a blistering century as Rajasthan Royals defeated Gujarat Titans by eight wickets at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium on Monday. Chasing a challenging target of 210, the Royals romped home in just 15.5 overs, ending at 212/2 and improving their net run rate significantly.

Suryavanshi’s explosive 101 off just 38 balls featured an astonishing 11 sixes and seven fours, making him the youngest-ever centurion in IPL history at just 14 years and 32 days. He smashed records previously held by the likes of Manish Pandey, Rishabh Pant, and Devdutt Padikkal. His ton also ranks as the second-fastest in IPL history, behind only Chris Gayle’s 30-ball assault, and is now the quickest by an Indian, surpassing Yusuf Pathan’s 37-ball effort.

Partnering him at the other end was Yashasvi Jaiswal, who played a composed and unbeaten knock of 70 from 40 balls. The pair added 166 runs for the second wicket—the highest partnership for any wicket in Rajasthan Royals’ history—ensuring a clinical finish to the high-octane run chase.

Earlier, Gujarat Titans posted an imposing total of 209/4 after being sent in to bat. Shubman Gill led from the front with a stylish 84 off 45 balls, while Jos Buttler, continuing his strong form, anchored the innings with an unbeaten 50. The duo was well supported by Sai Sudharsan, who chipped in with 39 off 24 deliveries.

The Titans got off to a flying start, reaching 53/0 at the end of the powerplay. Sudharsan looked set for another half-century when he mistimed a lofted drive off Maheesh Theekshana and found Riyan Parag at long-on, departing for 39 in the 11th over. Gill kept the scoreboard ticking with clean hitting, including a six off Sandeep Sharma and two back-to-back sixes off Yudhvir Singh. His aggressive innings was finally ended by Theekshana, who once again lured the batter into a mistimed shot that went straight to Parag.

Buttler, batting with composure, built the latter part of the innings with Washington Sundar. They managed to add valuable runs, including a six each off Jofra Archer. However, Sundar was removed by Sandeep Sharma, and Archer added one scalp of his own by trapping Rahul Tewatia leg-before. Buttler reached his half-century in 26 balls with a couple on the final delivery, helping Gujarat finish strong at 209/4.

Despite the daunting target, Rajasthan’s chase began with fireworks. Suryavanshi wasted no time and launched Mohammed Siraj for a six off the very first over. A critical moment came soon after when Jaiswal skied a delivery that should have been taken comfortably by Jos Buttler behind the stumps—but the Englishman made a mess of the catch. Jaiswal punished the lapse with a six to end the over.

Suryavanshi then turned his attention to veteran pacer Ishant Sharma in the fourth over, carting him for 28 runs—three sixes, two fours, and a couple of extras—sending the Jaipur crowd into a frenzy. The teenager’s fifty came up with a boundary off Washington Sundar, continuing his merciless assault.

Karim Janat’s IPL debut turned nightmarish when he was taken for 30 runs in the 10th over by Suryavanshi, who smacked him for three fours and three sixes in a single over. Jaiswal, playing the anchor role, brought up his own half-century off 31 balls as Rajasthan charged towards the target.

The young prodigy’s remarkable innings ended in the 13th over when Prasidh Krishna bowled a perfect yorker that breached his defense and rattled the stumps. Suryavanshi, visibly emotional, walked off the field teary-eyed, displaying the hunger and heart of a future star who already dreams of finishing games for his team.

Nitish Rana followed soon after for just 4 runs, trapped leg-before by Rashid Khan, who was leading Gujarat in Gill’s absence during the second innings. However, there was little cause for concern as Jaiswal held firm and took Rajasthan across the line comfortably.

From a bowling perspective, Maheesh Theekshana stood out for Rajasthan with figures of 2/35, including the crucial wickets of Sudharsan and Gill. Sandeep Sharma also contributed with 1/33, including the important breakthrough of Washington Sundar.

Gujarat Titans will rue their missed chances—especially the dropped catch of Jaiswal—and the inability to contain a young batter who has now announced himself on the grandest stage in spectacular fashion.

With this emphatic win, Rajasthan Royals not only grabbed two valuable points but also significantly boosted their net run rate. But more importantly, they may have discovered their next big star in Vaibhav Suryavanshi, whose fearless batting and record-breaking feats left the cricketing world in awe.

Brief Scores:

• Gujarat Titans: 209/4 in 20 overs (Shubman Gill 84, Jos Buttler 50*; Maheesh Theekshana 2/35, Sandeep Sharma 1/33)
• Rajasthan Royals: 212/2 in 15.5 overs (Vaibhav Suryavanshi 101, Yashasvi Jaiswal 70*; Rashid Khan 1/24, Prasidh Krishna 1/47)
• Result: Rajasthan Royals won by 8 wickets

Team Maverick.