The IPL stays true to its motto (Where Talent Meets Opportunity) by providing the best possible platform to the youngsters. There’s no better stage than the IPL to hone one’s skills and show talent.
It’s been almost two decades since the league has been unearthing talented cricketers year after year. Among them, a few have left a huge mark by scoring a century at a young age. One of them has brought up a ton at an age you perhaps can’t even imagine!
On that note, here are the top five youngest batters to score a century in the IPL.
5. Yashasvi Jaiswal (Rajasthan Royals) | 21 Years and 123 Days
While Jaiswal made his IPL debut in 2020, it was only in 2023 when he had a breakout season. In the same edition, the aggressive left-hand opener brought up his first IPL century.
And it came at the age of 21 years and 123 days against Mumbai Indians at a more familiar venue, the Wankhede Stadium. He amassed a brilliant 124-run knock from 62 deliveries.
Jaiswal paced his innings pretty well, with the help of 16 fours and 8 sixes. His knock pushed Rajasthan Royals’ total to 212, which they unfortunately couldn’t defend.
4. Devdutt Padikkal (Royal Challengers Bengaluru) | 20 Years and 289 Days
Devdutt Padikkal came into the 2021 season on the back of a brilliant performance in 2020. He had scored 473 runs across 15 innings to win the Emerging Player of the Year award.
And the left-hander continued his form in 2021 to raise his first century in the league. He was 20 years and 289 days old when he smashed a flawless 52-ball 101 not out against Rajasthan Royals (RR).
What was special about Padikkal’s knock was it came in a run chase. He batted alongside Virat Kohli to thrash RR’s 181-run target without a loss of a wicket.
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3. Rishabh Pant (Delhi Daredevils) | 20 Years and 218 Days
Spidey Rishabh Pant was at his absolute best in the 2018 edition. And the same season saw him bring up his first IPL ton at 20 years and 218 days of age.
On a tricky surface, Pant strode out with Delhi Daredevils (now Capitals) at 23 for 2. He started with a string of boundaries before taking a calm approach.
But then Pant set himself free again after the halfway mark to take on Sunrisers Hyderabad’s (SRH) best bowlers. He carted out Rashid Khan and Bhuvneshwar Kumar for 70 runs combined!
At one stage, 160 looked impossible for Delhi, but Pant’s unbeaten 128-run carnage ensured they put up 187 runs on the board. But his efforts went in vain as SRH gunned down the target with ease.
2. Manish Pandey (Royal Challengers Bengaluru) | 19 Years and 253 Days
Manish Pandey occupied the top position for almost 16 years. He was 19 years and 253 days old when he struck his maiden IPL century.
In fact, Pandey was the first-ever Indian centurion in the league. But his knock also remains the slowest (67 balls) in terms of balls taken to reach the 100-run mark.
Nonetheless, it was a match-winning knock as Pandey’s unbeaten 114 helped RCB put up 170 runs on the board. RCB later defended their total by 12 runs.
1. Vaibhav Suryavanshi (Rajasthan Royals) | 14 Years and 32 Days
Could you believe that a batter younger than the IPL would score a century? It’s beyond imagination, isn’t it?
But Vaibhav Suryavanshi made it a reality. He was fresh off a debut as the youngest player in the league’s history.
And in just his third match, the left-hander broke another record. He scored a sensational 101-run knock that left everyone awestruck. Even Rahul Dravid got out of his wheelchair to praise his performance!
Suryavanshi smashed Gujarat Titans (GT) bowlers, including the senior-most, to all corners of the ground. It was a fine display of power-hitting, one you wouldn’t expect from a 14-year-old guy!
Suryavanshi also zoomed past his maiden IPL hundred in 35 balls to be right behind Chris Gayle with the second-fastest ton in the league.
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