RR vs GT, IPL 2025: Vaibhav Suryavanshi blitzkrieg sets up Rajasthan Royals’ stunning win
RR vs GT, IPL 2025: Vaibhav Suryavanshi blitzkrieg sets up Rajasthan Royals’ stunning win
Some nights are magical. So magical, they defy belief.
Monday was one such night. It was a starless night, though that didn’t matter. One of the potential superstars of cricket lit up the Sawai Mansigh Stadium, and well beyond.
Vaibhav Suryavanshi played one of the most stunning knocks in the history of the IPL to help Rajasthan Royals score a remarkable eight-wicket victory against Gujarat Titans. The host chased down GT’s 209 for four with 4.1 overs to spare.
The 14-year-old also became the league’s youngest centurion (101, 38b, 7×4, 11×6), and it was the second fastest hundred (35 balls).
The records and numbers matter, but not as much as the precocious way he batted or the joy it gave to the viewer.
Suryavanshi was confident beyond his years, as he destroyed one of the best attacks in the tournament. He was particularly severe on the leg-side, but one of his best shots came over long-off, against Prasidh Krishna, a seamer who has been in brilliant form.
His pull off Washington Sundar over deep square-leg was another sensational six. as he dealt mostly in boundaries. The only bowler who made him pause was Rashid Khan.
Suryavanshi’s opening-wicket stand with fellow left-hander Yashasvi Jaiswal (70 not out, 40b, 9×4, 2×6) was worth 166, which came off in less than 12 overs. By the time his incredible knock was finally ended by a yorker from Prasidh, he had taken his side closer to what would only be the third win of the season.
Every GT fielder wanted to congratulate the boy as he walked towards his dressing room, where he got even Royals coach Rahul Dravid excited.
Earlier, it was yet again the magnificent top three that delivered for GT. B. Sai Sudharsan (39, 30b, 4×4, 1×6), and Shubman Gill (84, 50b, 5×4, 4×6) added 93 for the first wicket; they have together made 541 this year.
Then Jos Buttler (50 not out, 26b, 3×4, 4×6) made a return to his home ground of seven seasons, until he was surprisingly let go by Royals, count.
What nobody counted on was an out-of-the-world knock that would come from a teenager.
Published on Apr 28, 2025
