Jonny Bairstow delivered a stellar performance for Punjab Kings (PBKS) in their Indian Premier League (IPL) clash against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) at Eden Gardens, tying the record for the second-fastest century by a PBKS player.
Bairstow, returning to form, smashed an unbeaten 108 off just 48 balls, showcasing his prowess with eight fours and nine sixes, achieving a striking rate of 225.00.
Bairstow’s explosive century came in only 45 balls, matching the record set by Mayank Agarwal, who also scored a ton in 45 balls against Rajasthan Royals at Sharjah in 2020. However, the record for the fastest century for the franchise is still held by David Miller, who blazed a 38-ball century against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in 2013 at Mohali, leading to a successful chase of 191 runs with two overs to spare.
The match also recalled Wriddhiman Saha’s rapid 49-ball century against KKR in the 2014 IPL final, although his effort was in a losing cause. Bairstow’s performance, marked by both power and precision, underscored his crucial role in the team and signaled a significant upturn in form as the tournament progresses.
