Vaibhav Sooryavanshi is already turning heads across the cricket world. At just 15 years old, the southpaw has been showcasing fearless, high-impact batting that has made him a standout story in the IPL. On Saturday, he starred for Rajasthan Royals in their match against Sunrisers Hyderabad, smashing his way to a remarkable second hundred of the tournament—reaching the milestone in only 36 balls—marking the second-fastest century by an Indian batter in IPL history. Even more impressively, he already owns the record for the quickest IPL hundred by an Indian, having done it in 35 deliveries last season.
The performances have drawn praise far beyond the usual cricket circles. England wicketkeeper-batter Sam Billings reacted to Sooryavanshi’s display by comparing the teenager to football prodigy Lamine Yamal, a well-known name in the sport. Yamal, who is also a teenager at 18, has already played more than 100 matches for Barcelona and over 20 for the senior Spain team. Billings’ post on X captured the admiration: “Is Sooryavanshi the best 15 year old ever in any professional sport? Truly remarkable what he’s doing!!!! We’re watching Lamine Yamal level talent!”
Sooryavanshi’s 103 powers Rajasthan Royals
- Sooryavanshi struck at a relentless pace to register the third-fastest hundred in IPL history, taking just 36 balls to reach 103.
- His explosive innings helped Rajasthan post a commanding total of 228 for six against Sunrisers Hyderabad at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium.
- After being briefly let off early—he was on 32—he punished Sunrisers by converting that start into his first century of the season.
- Before his century, he had already produced three rapid half-centuries, underlining his form as Rajasthan began their campaign.
- Once again, he demonstrated a wide range of shots, combining brute strength with timing to keep the scoring rate climbing.
- He struck 12 sixes, while hitting five fours, in his 37-ball knock of 103.
- He reached his century with a six off Sakib Hussain (who finished with figures of 1/62) on his 36th delivery.
- The feat placed him alongside the fastest IPL century list: his 36-ball ton joined the elite group behind his own 35-ball century last year and Chris Gayle’s 30-ball hundred for Royal Challengers Bengaluru in April 2013.
