5 Youngest Players To Smash A Century In IPL

Indian Premier League is a prominent platform for youngsters to show their talent in India. Many youngsters bagged the spotlight with their incredible performances in IPL and then earned an opportunity to play for the national team.

IPL franchises always scout some young talents in their squads and many of these youngsters have executed magnificent performances for their teams in the tournament.

Since the Indian Premier League is a T20 tournament, smashing a century is a tough task for batsmen. However, many batsmen have managed to achieve this milestone in the last 14 editions of the T20 tournament.

So far, there are 38 players who have shattered centauries in IPL and some of these players were very young when they smacked a hundred. In this listicle, we talk about the 5 youngest players to smash a century in IPL.

5 Youngest Players To Smash A Century In IPL

5. Quinton de Kock – 23 years and 122 days

South African player Quinton de Kock takes the 5th position in this list. The wicketkeeper-batsman smashed a century in IPL 2016 when he was just 23 years and 122 days old. The left-handed batsman achieved the feat during Delhi Daredevils vs Royal Challengers Bangalore encounter.

Playing for Delhi, the wicketkeeper hit 108 runs off just 51 deliveries. He smacked 15 fours and 3 sixes during his knock. With his century, Delhi Daredevils managed to chase the 192-run target set by RCB and won the match by 3 wickets.

4. Sanju Samson – 22 years and 151 days

Sanju Samson is the 4th youngest player to hit a century in the Indian Premier League. The right-handed batsman smashed his first century in the tournament when he was just 22 years and 151 days old. In IPL 2017, Sanju Samson smashed 102 runs in a match against Rising Pune Supergiants while representing Delhi Daredevils.

Batting at no.3 spot in the 1st innings, Samson shattered 8 boundaries and 5 sixes to score 102 runs off 63 balls. With his century, he took Delhi Capitals’ scoreboard to 205-4 in 20 overs. Later, opposition Rising Pune Supergiants were bowled out for just 108 runs and lost the match by 97 runs.

3. Devdutt Padikkal – 20 years and 289 days

Devdutt Padikkal grabs the 3rd spot in this list. The left-handed batsman smacked a century in IPL 2021 edition while playing for Royal Challengers Bangalore. Padikkal managed to hit a century at the age of just 20 years and 289 days. His century came in the clash against Rajasthan Royals. Batting first, the Sanju Samson-led Rajasthan piled up 177-9 on the scoreboard.

While opening the innings for RCB with skipper Virat Kohli, Padikkal smacked unbeaten 101 runs off 52 deliveries to bag victory for the team by 10 wickets. The RCB opener Padikkal hit 6 sixes and 11 fours during his knock. He also built a 117-run partnership with Kohli, who scored unbeaten 72 runs in the game.

2. Rishabh Pant – 20 years and 218 days

Rishabh Pant gets the 2nd spot in this list. The wicketkeeper-batsman smashed a century at the age of just 20 years and 218 days and is the 2nd youngest player to hit a century in IPL. In the 2018 edition, the left-handed batsman scored unbeaten 128 runs off 63 balls while playing for Delhi Daredevils in a match against Sunrisers Hyderabad.

The wicketkeeper-batsman smashed 15 fours and 7 sixes during his knock, taking Delhi to 187/5 in 1st innings. However, Sunrisers Hyderabad managed to win the match by 9 wickets, with spectacular unbeaten innings of 92 and 83 by Shikhar Dhawan and Kane Williamson respectively.

1. Manish Pandey – 19 years and 259 days

Manish Pandey was the first Indian player to score a century in the Indian Premier League and also the youngest player to achieve the feat so far. In IPL 2009, Manish Pandey smashed a century when he was just 19 years and 259 days old. The right-handed batsman was part of Royal Challengers Bangalore in the season.

In a match against Deccan Chargers, Pandey shattered unbeaten 114 runs off 73 deliveries while batting as an opener. With 10 boundaries and 4 sixes during his knock, he took RCB to 170/4 in the first innings. Deccan Chargers could only reach 158-6 in 20 overs later and lost the match by 12 runs.