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The cricketing world witnessed a historic moment during IPL 2025 when 14-year-old Vaibhav Suryavanshi, hailing from Bihar, stunned fans and legends alike by smashing a breathtaking century against Gujarat Titans. Playing for Rajasthan Royals, Suryavanshi reached his hundred in just 35 balls, making it the second-fastest century in IPL history and the quickest by an Indian batter, surpassing Yusuf Pathan’s 37-ball record. His explosive innings of 101 runs off 38 balls, laced with 7 fours and 11 sixes, not only powered his team to victory but also etched his name in the annals of cricket as the youngest ever to score a T20 century at just 14 years and 32 days old.
Social media erupted in celebration, but the most notable reaction came from West Indies legend Brian Lara, widely regarded as the greatest left-handed batter in cricket history. Lara, visibly impressed, shared a video of Suryavanshi’s knock-on Instagram with the caption, “Did I entertain?
You surely entertained me!!!” This endorsement from a cricketing icon amplified the excitement and validated the prodigy’s arrival on the world stage.
Brian Lara’s admiration for Vaibhav Suryavanshi
Lara’s reaction resonated deeply because of the parallels between his own elegant, fearless batting and the audacity displayed by Suryavanshi. The young left-hander’s coach, Manish Ojha, described Vaibhav as a “mix of Yuvraj Singh and Brian Lara”-combining Lara’s grace with Yuvraj’s aggression. Suryavanshi himself has often cited Lara as his inspiration, and his ability to dominate seasoned bowlers with such poise at a tender age drew inevitable comparisons.
Lara’s appreciation was more than just a passing compliment; it was a symbolic passing of the torch. West Indies great Ian Bishop also advised Suryavanshi to emulate Lara’s resilience, noting how Lara handled both success and failure with remarkable composure. Such guidance is crucial as Suryavanshi steps into the intense glare of the cricketing limelight, with expectations soaring after his record-breaking feat.
The magnitude of Suryavanshi’s achievement is further underscored by the company he now keeps in the IPL record books. His 35-ball century is second only to Chris Gayle’s 30-ball blitz, and he shattered records for youngest centurion and fastest fifty by an uncapped Indian in IPL history. The cricket fraternity, including former record-holder Yusuf, lauded the youngster’s performance, with Yusuf congratulating him for breaking the record while playing for Rajasthan Royals, a franchise renowned for nurturing young talent.
Also READ: Top 5 youngest players to hit a century in the IPL ft. Vaibhav Suryavanshi
Suryanshi’s journey from Bihar to global acclaim
Suryavanshi’s story is the stuff of fairy tales. Born on March 27, 2011, in Bihar, he announced his talent early, becoming the youngest Indian to score a List-A half-century at just 12 years and 284 days during the Vijay Hazare Trophy 2024-25. His fearless batting style and calm demeanour under pressure turned heads. Now a cornerstone of the Rajasthan Royals squad, Suryavanshi’s IPL heroics against Gujarat Titans signal the dawn of a new era. The Royals, known for nurturing young talent, have unearthed another gem, reminiscent of their early faith in stars like Yusuf and Sanju Samson.
Also WATCH: Rahul Dravid rises from wheelchair to celebrate Vaibhav Suryavanshi’s record-breaking century – IPL 2025
