A 14-year-old cricketer has made his mark in the sport after a stunning performance in the Indian Premier League (IPL).

Vaibhav Suryavanshi, representing the Rajasthan Royals, smashed a century off just 35 balls, making him the youngest player ever to achieve the feat in men’s Twenty20 cricket. The achievement came during a match against the Gujarat Titans in Jaipur on April 28.

Why It Matters

At just 14, left-handed Suryavanshi has set a new benchmark for youth involvement in elite cricket. According to The Guardian, the teenager hit 11 sixes and seven fours in his 101 off 38 balls as the hosts went after a “210-run target in 15.5 overs.”

Suryavanshi’s century broke the previous IPL record for the fastest by an Indian in the IPL, surpassing the 37-ball record set by Yusuf Pathan in 2010, according to ESPN.

Suryavanshi’s historic knock came at a critical point in the Rajasthan Royals’ campaign. The team defeated the Titans by eight wickets.

Who Is Vaibhav Suryavanshi?

Suryavanshi was born on March 27, 2011, in Tajpur, Samastipur district, Bihar, India, according to The Times of India. He began playing cricket around age 4 with his father, Sanjeev Suryavanshi. The teen said he takes inspiration from the West Indies’ Brian Lara.

He made his IPL debut earlier this season when the Royals faced off against the Lucknow Super Giants.

Suryavanshi made headlines last year when he became the youngest player to be signed by an IPL team at just 13 years old.

Before being picked up by the Rajasthan Royals, Suryavanshi was part of India’s Under-19 Asia Cup squad in 2024, where he nabbed 176 runs at an average of 44, according to the BBC. He also plays cricket in Bihar, where he grew up.

On Monday, he was deemed the “PLAYER OF THE MATCH” for his knock of 101 runs in just 38 balls.

“He was incredible today,” Rajasthan batter Yashasvi Jaiswal told The Guardian. “[Suryavanshi] just played amazing shots. He works hard in the nets, we can see that. He has the game, he has the temperament and mentality.”

Who Are the Rajasthan Royals?

The Rajasthan Royals are one of the eight original franchises in the Indian Premier League, founded in 2008. The team is known for discovering young talent, like captain Sanju Samson.

According to IPLT20.com, the team’s batters include: Suryavanshi, Samson, Shubham Dubey, Kunal Rathore, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Dhruv Jurel, Riyan Parag, and Shimron Hetmyer.

With Suryavanshi’s performance, the Royals are now busy chasing another IPL title.