3 fastest centuries by an uncapped player in the IPL (by balls)
Uncapped players have less experience with them as they see the Indian Premier League (IPL) as the perfect opportunity to perform and then hope for a national team call-up. The IPL provides that platform for these young, uncapped cricketers to showcase their talent and skill. Few uncapped ones have played memorable innings in this tournament over the seasons by smashing a ton.
Let’s take a look at the 3 fastest centuries by an uncapped cricketer in the IPL: (by balls)
Paul Valthaty (52 balls)
Paul Valthaty stunned the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) while playing for Punjab Kings (PBKS) in the 2011 edition. Chasing 189 to win, Valthaty smashed an unbeaten 120 off just 63 with 19 fours and two sixes to win the match for his side by six wickets in Mohali. He brought up his century in just 52 deliveries. The right-handed batter also holds the record for hitting joint-most fours (19) in an IPL innings. AB de Villiers also struck 19 fours in his knock of 133* against Mumbai Indians (MI) in 2015.
Devdutt Padikkal (51 balls)
Left-handed batter Devdutt Padikkal has smashed the second-fastest ton by an uncapped player in the IPL. Playing for Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), Padikkal hammered 101 not out off 52, with 11 fours and six maximums in his team’s run-chase of 178 runs against Rajasthan Royals (RR) in the 2021 season. He completed his century in 51 balls to also share the unbeaten opening stand of 181 runs with Virat Kohli as RCB won by ten wickets at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.
Rajat Patidar (49 balls)
New RCB sensation Rajat Patidar slammed the fastest century by an uncapped cricketer in the history of the tournament in the ongoing 2022 campaign. Batting first in a crucial eliminator match against Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), RCB posted 207/4 thanks to Patidar’s unbeaten knock of 112 off 54, which included 12 fours and seven sixes. He reached his ton in 49 balls with his side also winning the match by 14 runs in Kolkata to enter the Qualifier 2.
