Vaibhav Suryavanshi, just 14 years old, delivered a sensational performance by smashing a blistering century off only 32 balls on his India A debut in the Rising Stars Asia Cup 2025 Group B clash against the UAE at the West End Park International Cricket Stadium in Doha on Friday. Before the match began, the young cricketer from Bihar was approached by scores of fans seeking autographs and selfies, but he politely declined, wanting to stay focused on the game.

Those fans were certainly not left disappointed, as Vaibhav produced a stunning display of power hitting. His ton matched Rishabh Pant’s 32-ball century from the 2018 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, making it the joint third-fastest T20 century by an Indian. The record for the fastest T20 hundred by an Indian is held by Urvil Patel, who reached the milestone in 28 balls, while the world record belongs to Estonia’s Sahil Chauhan with a 27-ball hundred in 2024.

Earlier, Vaibhav’s quickest T20 century came in the IPL when he hammered a 35-ball ton against Gujarat Titans in Jaipur, becoming the youngest player to score an IPL century.

His innings on Friday almost never happened—UAE captain Alishan Sharafu dropped a straightforward chance at cover off the very first ball bowled by Muhammad Farazuddin. Making full use of the reprieve, Vaibhav unleashed a breathtaking assault, smashing 15 sixes and 11 fours on his way to a 42-ball 144 at a strike rate of 342.86.

He appeared well on course to surpass Tilak Varma’s record for the highest T20 score by an Indian and possibly even Chris Gayle’s world record, before Farazuddin finally caught him in the deep in the 13th over. Visibly disappointed after his dismissal, the teenager walked back to a standing ovation from the Indian dugout. His 144 remains the fourth-highest T20 score by an Indian.