14-year-old Vaibhav Suryawanshi smashed a stunning century in just 35 balls to put Rajasthan Royals on course for a thumping win against Gujarat Titans in their IPL clash on Monday.
It was the second fastest century in IPL history behind only Chris Gayle’s 30-ball ton for RCB in 2013.
RR openers Suryawanshi and Yashasvi Jaiswal despatched the GT bowlers to all parts of the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur in their chase of 210.
The duo brought up their 100-run stand in just 7.4 overs.
Suryawanshi was the more belligerent of the duo, reaching his fifty in just 17 balls — the fastest half century of the 2025 IPL season.
His second fifty was only a tad slower, taking 18 balls.
Suryawanshi was especially severe on medium pacer Karim Janat who was smacked for 30 runs in an over, taking the batsman from 64 to 94 in the space of six balls.
He then duly completed his ton with a six over deep mid-wicket off Rashid Khan.
The carnage finally ended when he was castled by Prasidh Krishna for 101 off 38 balls after an opening partnership of 166 in 11.5 overs.
Earlier, Shubman Gill and Jos Buttler were on song as GT soared to 209/4.
Like so often this season, Gill and Sai Sudharsan gave GT the impetus at the top with a stand of 93 in just 10.2 overs.
Sai Sudharsan fell for 39 off 30 balls, caught at long on by Riyan Parag off Maheesh Theekshana.
Gill and Buttler then added 74 for the second wicket before the GT skipper fell to the same Parag-Theekshana combo after smashing 84 in just 50 balls. That left GT at 167/2 in the 17th over.
The visitors crossed the 200 mark in the final over, with Buttler, who played for RR last season, returning to haunt his old team with an unbeaten 50 off 26 balls.
RR had won the toss and opted to bowl against GT.
“Saw some dew last night so looks like it could be good,” RR skipper Riyan Parag said following the toss.
“We would have liked to bowl first as well, but it looks like a good track for batting,” GT captain Shubman Gill said.
The two teams have had contrasting campaigns so far. GT are second in the points table, having won six of their eight matches, while RR are second to last, winning just two out of nine.
For RR, it’s a do-or-die moment. A loss could spell disaster and ruin their chances of qualification. GT, on the other hand, is in excellent form and will aim for a win to reclaim the top spot, currently held by RCB with 14 points from 10 matches.
GT is the team that has played the fewest matches in this season so far, and is the only team with a net run-rate higher than +1.
RR’s regular captain, Sanju Samson, is still out with injury.
Playing XI
Rajasthan Royals: Yashasvi Jaiswal, Vaibhav Suryavanshi, Nitish Rana, Riyan Parag (c), Dhruv Jurel (wk), Shimron Hetmyer, Wanindu Hasaranga, Jofra Archer, Maheesh Theekshana, Sandeep Sharma, Yudhvir Singh Charak
Gujarat Titans: Sai Sudharsan, Shubman Gill (c), Jos Buttler (wk), Washington Sundar, Shahrukh Khan, Rahul Tewatia, Karim Janat, Rashid Khan, Ravisrinivasan Sai Kishore, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna
Impact players:
RR: Shubham Dubey, Kumar Kartikeya, Akash Madhwal, Tushar Deshpande, Kunal Singh Rathore
GT: Ishant Sharma, Mahipal Lomror, Anuj Rawat, Arshad Khan, Dasun Shanaka
