101 off 38 balls: ‘Boss baby’ reflects on his dreamlike IPL century

In the heart of Jaipur, under the glow of the Sawai Mansingh Stadium lights, a chubby teenager nicknamed “Boss baby” delivered a cricketing masterclass that shook the IPL and the wider world of T20 cricket.

Vaibhav Suryavanshi, just 14 years and 32 days old, became the youngest player ever to score a senior T20 century on Monday, smashing a jaw-dropping 101 off 38 balls to script Rajasthan Royals’ stunning eight-wicket win over Gujarat Titans.

It was a performance that transcended age and experience — pure, fearless cricket, played with a refreshing simplicity. “I just see the ball and play,” said the young prodigy, flashing a wide grin, as he accepted the Player of the Match award.

Nicknamed “Boss Baby” by TV commentators for his cherubic looks and audacious game, Suryavanshi lived up to the tag with a breathtaking display of power-hitting. His 35-ball century is now the second fastest in IPL history, only behind the legendary Chris Gayle’s 30-ball madness in 2013. In the process, he broke Vijay Zol’s record as the youngest century-maker in senior T20 cricket — by a wide margin.

From the moment Suryavanshi walked out to open with Yashasvi Jaiswal, the atmosphere crackled with anticipation. What followed was beyond imagination. The left-hander carted the Gujarat bowlers to all corners, hammering seven fours and an astonishing 11 sixes, including a brutal 30-run over against Afghanistan quick Karim Janat.

Standing at the other end, Jaiswal, no stranger to pyrotechnics himself, could only marvel. “Incredible innings, one of the best I have seen,” Jaiswal said. “I was just telling him to keep going.” Their 166-run opening stand virtually sealed the game with 25 balls to spare, snapping Rajasthan’s five-match losing streak.

The innings was so electric that it made headlines across the cricketing world — and it even moved the unflappable Rahul Dravid. Now Rajasthan Royals’ mentor, Dravid, known for his stoic demeanor, jumped out of his wheelchair in celebration as Suryavanshi reached his ton, a rare sight that captured the emotional magnitude of the moment.

Suryavanshi’s cricketing journey is straight out of a fairytale. Signed by Rajasthan at just 13 for $130,500, he announced himself with a six off his very first IPL ball nine days ago. A product of Bihar’s domestic circuit, he had already scored a Ranji Trophy triple century and a blazing U-19 ton against Australia. Now, the IPL has a new, fearless face — and it’s barely into its teenage years.

“There is no fear. I don’t think much, I just focus on playing,” Suryavanshi said, his words sounding almost too casual for someone who had just rewritten the history books.

As Rajasthan Royals cling to hopes of playoff qualification, one thing is clear: in Vaibhav Suryavanshi, they have unearthed a diamond. And the world of cricket has just witnessed the birth of a new superstar — the real “Boss baby” of the IPL.

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