The young star followed this feat with a remarkable 36-ball century in the Indian Premier League, hitting 12 sixes and five fours to achieve his second IPL hundred with flair. He reached the milestone shortly after surpassing 1,000 T20 runs, having required just 473 balls to do so.
“There wasn’t much thinking… I just played according to the ball. The wicket felt good, so I backed my game,” Sooryavanshi remarked, having struck four sixes in his first over. “I consider which bowlers I’m up against, what shots I can play… I try to visualise all of that.”
He now holds the record, overtaking Australia’s Mitchell Owen, who reached the milestone in 533 balls. This innings also marks the third-fastest century in IPL history, behind Chris Gayle’s legendary 30-ball hundred in 2013 and Sooryavanshi’s own 35-ball century from the previous season.
The teenager, yet to make his senior debut for India, has displayed sensational form this season, having earlier scored two 15-ball fifties against Chennai Super Kings and Royal Challengers Bengaluru.
Sooryavanshi was dismissed for 103 off 37 balls, aiding Rajasthan in reaching 228-6. Hyderabad successfully chased the target with nine balls remaining, led by half-centuries from Ishan Kishan (74) and Abhishek Sharma (57).
Both Hyderabad and Rajasthan stand at 10 points, four points ahead of fifth-placed Chennai in the competition for top-four finishes and playoff progression. Meanwhile, Punjab Kings lead the table with 13 points after achieving a record chase of 265 against Delhi Capitals earlier that day.
(With Reuters inputs)
