These youngsters set a benchmark for a successful career early on!
Proving one's worth early in their career through outstanding performance is a primary goal for every young cricketer. For those playing for India, securing their spot in the squad becomes even more crucial. What better way to make a mark than by scoring a century for your country at a young age? A select few gifted batters have achieved this milestone early in their careers for the Men in Blue. Here, we will highlight the five youngest Indian batters to score a T20I century.
In 2016, KL Rahul became the third Indian batter to score a century in T20Is. Chasing a formidable target of 246 runs, Rahul came in at No. 4 with India at 48 for 2. He started aggressively, keeping India in contention with regular boundaries. He reached his half-century in just 26 balls. As the chase continued, Rahul accelerated, reaching his maiden T20I century in 46 balls at the age of 24 years and 131 days. Despite his unbeaten 110, India fell just one run short of the target.
Abhishek Sharma had a forgettable T20I debut, getting out for a duck. However, he quickly rebounded the next day. Batting first, Abhishek started aggressively, hitting a six early on. He then slowed down a bit but seized the right opportunities to score big. After reaching fifty of 33 balls, Abhishek started finding the boundary more frequently. He achieved his maiden T20I century with three consecutive sixes. With this performance, Abhishek Sharma became the third-fastest (46 balls) and fourth-youngest Indian batter to score a T20I century at 23 years and 307 days old.
In 2010, Suresh Raina became the first Indian batter to score a century in T20I cricket. He achieved this milestone at the age of 23 years and 156 days against South Africa in the 2010 T20 World Cup. After being put in to bat, India lost two wickets inside the powerplay. Raina came in at No. 3 and initially struggled to get going, even surviving a dismissal on a no-ball. He took his time to settle, reaching his fifty in 42 balls. Once set, Raina unleashed his aggressive side, attacking the South African bowlers with ease. Raina reached his century with a six on the 59th ball but was caught out on the very next delivery, ending his impressive knock at 101 runs.
A month into his T20I career, Shubman Gill impressed everyone with an unbeaten knock of 126 against New Zealand in February 2023, at the age of 23 years and 146 days. In this series decider, India chose to bat first. Opening the inning, Gill lost his partner, Ishan Kishan, early, but remained undeterred. Gill anchored the innings, keeping the scoreboard moving with occasional boundaries, reaching his maiden T20I fifty in 35 balls. As the death overs approached, Gill accelerated, hitting fours and sixes all around the ground. He converted his maiden fifty into a century off 54 balls. Gill finished unbeaten on 126 runs off 63 balls, including 12 fours and 7 sixes.
Yashasvi Jaiswal surpassed Shubman Gill’s 8-month-old record to become the youngest Indian batter to score a T20I century. The left-handed opener achieved this feat at the age of 21 years and 279 days against Nepal in the 2023 Asian Games. Having shown glimpses of his potential in his debut T20I series, Jaiswal elevated his performance in just his sixth game. On a field with shorter boundaries, he hit boundaries at will. Jaiswal completed his fifty off 22 balls and swiftly reached his maiden T20I hundred in 48 balls. He was dismissed on the next delivery, finishing his impressive knock on 100 runs, which included 8 fours and 7 sixes.
Most of these young stars, like Subhman Gill and Yashasvi Jaiswal, are already set up for a long and successful career with Team India, and Suresh Raina and KL Rahul are both legends of the game!
