Fifteen-year-old Vibhu Suryavanshi produced one of the most impressive innings ever in an IPL knockout match, but the youngster’s emotional reaction after falling three runs short of a historic century showed just how much the moment meant to him. To represent Rajasthan Royals In the IPL 2026 eliminator against Sunrisers Hyderabad at Milanpur, Suryavanshi smashed the SRH bowling attack with a brilliant 97 off just 29 balls. The innings included a brutal onslaught of 12 sixes and brought him within striking distance. Chris GayleThe record for the fastest century in IPL so far. Gayle’s 30-ball century for Royal Challengers Bengaluru in 2013 is still the fastest century in IPL history, while Suryavanshi fell short of surpassing it after being dismissed on 97. The young opener already holds the record for the fastest IPL century by an Indian batsman and the second and third fastest IPL centuries by an Indian, reaching triple figures in just 35 and 36 balls in his impressive season. But despite rewriting the record books yet again, the youngster looked heartbroken after missing out on what could have been one of the biggest T20 milestones ever. As he walked back into the pavilion, a clear look of despair could be seen on his face, even as the cameras caught traces of tears in his eyes. It was a rare emotional moment in the middle of an innings filled with fearless hitting and complete dominance. Suryavanshi’s knock also helped him create several unprecedented marks during his extraordinary IPL 2026 campaign. He broke Gayle’s 14-year-old record of 59 sixes in the 2012 IPL season and now holds the record for most sixes in an IPL season with 65 sixes. Most sixes in an IPL season:
- 65* – Vibhu Suryavanshi (2026)
- 59 – Chris Gayle (2012)
The RR opener also became the first teenager to score 600 runs in a T20 tournament before turning 20 and now holds the record for most runs by an uncapped batsman in a single IPL season. Most runs by an uncapped batsman in an IPL season:
- 680* – Vaibhav Suryavanshi (RR, 2026)
- 625 – Yashvi Jaiswal (RR, 2023)
During the knock, Suryavanshi also equaled Suresh Raina’s legendary record for the fastest fifty in IPL playoff history, reaching the milestone in just 16 balls. His 97 is now the second highest individual score by a Rajasthan Royals batsman in an IPL playoff game, behind Jos Buttler’s unbeaten 106 against RCB in IPL 2022 Qualifier 2. Yet, despite all the records and applause, the image that may last among fans is not one of sixes flying into the stands, but of a 15-year-old prodigy collapsing after coming agonizingly close to scoring the greatest IPL innings ever.
