Indian Premier League is a stage where talent finds opportunity. Setting a remarkable performance is every youngster’s dream in IPL. IPL is one of the biggest cricketing stages globally, and many talented players in the Indian team have the chance because of IPL. Every franchisee scouts some attractive, talented youngsters to play in their group. If we are talking about scouting then, some big names like Hardik Pandya and Jasprit Bumrah were scouted by Mumbai Indians, and because of their tremendous performance, they got to play in the Indian team. Batting is a critical element in the T20 format, and scoring centuries is challenging in T20 cricket. But, many youngsters have scored a century in IPL, and in this article, we will talk about the five youngest players to have scored a century in IPL and created a significant impact.
1. Manish Pandey – 19 years and 259 days
Manish Pandey is the youngest cricketer to score a century in the 2009 edition of IPL. No youngster has still broken this record. Manish Pandey used to play for RCB, and that time, Captain Anil Kumble gave him a chance, and this youngster played an outstanding knock of 114 in just 73 balls against Deccan Chargers.
After playing for RCB, he was picked by KKR, and currently, he plays for SRH. Pandey has played 151 matches so far in the IPL and has scored 3461 runs at a strike rate of 121.78. Manish Pandey is now one of the most crucial players for Sunrisers Hyderabad and is having a decent career in IPL and is the first youngster to have scored a century in IPL.
2. Rishabh Pant – 20 years and 218 days
Rishabh Pant doesn’t need any specific coverage, as everyone knows about his explosive nature and how he can be a nightmare for bowlers. Rishabh Pant comes second on this list. Pant scored 128 off just 63 balls to set this record at the age of 20, and Delhi’s final total was 187/5 against SRH, but still, Delhi lost the game. But, Rishabh Pant told the world that he’s here to rule. In 2018 Pant was also the emerging player of the IPL.
Rishabh Pant has done quite a lot in his short career for both India and Delhi Capitals. Rishabh Pant was doing captaincy for Delhi Capitals as Shreyas Iyer was out because of the injury. Pant has played 76 matches so far and scored 2292 runs at a furious strike rate of 149.8. Rishabh Pant’s career has been a roller coaster, and hope we see him creating more records.
3. Devdutt Padikkal – 20 years and 289 days
RCB’s talented youngster Devdutt Padikkal is the third player on this list to have scored a century in IPL. Padikkal scored 101* off just 52 balls and seemed unstoppable against Rajasthan Royals in this year’s IPL at the Wankhede stadium. The southpaw is RCB’s trump card and has also been selected in The Indian team, which will play against Sri Lanka during July 2021.
Padikkal was the emerging player of the year in 2020 and has also played brilliantly for Karnataka, and everyone has some big expectations from him. Padikkal has played 21 matches in IPL and has scored 668 runs, including one century and five half-centuries.
4. Sanju Samson – 22 years and 151 days
Current Rajasthan Royals skipper Sanju has been a match-winner. If he’s in form, there’s no way he can be stopped. Sanju Samson used to play for Delhi Daredevils in the 2017 season. Sanju scored 102 runs off 63 balls and helped Delhi to reach a total of 205.
Delhi won the match by 97 runs because of Sanju’s knock. He is currently appointed as a captain for Rajasthan Royals and now has the opportunity to lead. Sanju Samson also won the emerging player of the year in his debut season for Rajasthan Royals in 2013. Skipper Sanju has played 114 matches so far and scored 2861 runs.
5. Quinton de Kock – 23 years and 122 days
South African keeper-batsman scored a century in the 2016 edition of IPL, and he used to play for Delhi Daredevils, and the match was against RCB. RCB was in a top-notch form and scored 191 in 20 overs but, de Kock had some other plans, and he went on scoring 108 off 51 deliveries, and Delhi won the game by seven wickets.
Later on, he played for RCB, and currently, he plays for Mumbai Indians and has been a match-winner for Mumbai and provides quick starts. De Kock has played 72 matches so far and has scored 2114 runs at a strike rate of 132.21.
