15 Year Old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi Misses Fastest IPL Century By Inches

Sooryavanshi was at the door to making history by scoring 97 from 29 deliveries, a sum that could have meant he scored the fastest century of all time in IPL. It was one of the deadliest knocks in IPL playoff history. 

Sooryavanshi Breaks Gayle’s Six-Hitting Record

The left-handed opener was sensational with his 97 off only 29 deliveries, where he hit 12 sixes and 5 fours on a magnificent strike rate of over 334, a knock that took RR to a total of 243/8 in 20 overs. While he narrowly missed a ton, Vaibhav became the first batsman to hit a record number of sixes in a single IPL season (Chris Gayle had 59 in 2012), when he rose as IPL 2026’s breakout figure. 

Sooryavanshi narrowly missed another record, this time with the fastest century in IPL. Chris Gayle still held the record of hitting his ton in 30 balls, but the 15-year-old fell short on 97 off 29 deliveries. 

Chris Gayle Applauds Vaibhav’s Innings

The wicket received many responses from the cricket fraternity as many thought he was about to pen yet another chapter in IPL history, only to get out at the last minute. Gayle himself did post an acknowledgment of Vaibhav’s record-breaking performance and congratulated the RR youngster after a knock took his team to the playoffs. 

“What a phenomenal player Vaibhav is. Great entertainment young man! New Six machine," Gayle said on social media platform X.

Rayudu Predicts First T20 Double Century

Former India cricketer Ambati Rayudu praised the teen and mentioned that Vaibhav could be the first player in T20 history to score 200 runs in an innings. 

He said, "I think a 200 is around the corner. If he keeps going this way, we'll see a 200 very soon. He has not premeditated a single ball except for one ball where he tried to reverse sweep in one of those games earlier. Other than that, he just seems to watch the ball and react to it. His talent is so good that he can react to any ball the way he has been reacting. He's hitting everything for a six,” on ESPNCricinfo.

Vaibhav Leads Orange Cap Race

Vaibhav debuted in IPL last year and immediately drew headlines with a 35-ball century on the big stage. But, this season the 15-year-old has become a hero in the IPL. Now he is at the top of the Orange Cap standings with 680 runs in 15 matches at an average of 45.33 with a jaw-dropping strike rate of 242.85.